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Remember the standards movement?

A must-read issue of the AFT's American Educator examines the nation's failure to make good on the promise of "a well-aligned standards-based education system."  Drawing on the AFT's latest review of state standards, the editors acknowledge improvements over the past decade but describe most state standards as "vague and repetitive."

What's more, they add weight to the argument that the standards movement has given way to its evil twin, the testing movement. Poorly written, narrow assessments too often take the place of well written standards, and they impoverish the taught curriculum.

The editors also note that recent reform efforts have seldom provided strong curricular materials, professional development tied to standards, or help for struggling students--all of which are critical elements of successful standards-based reform efforts.

The Learning First Alliance, which sponsors Public School Insights and includes the AFT, warned against the dangers of accountability on the cheap ages ago.  

In any event, the new issue of American Educator is well worth your time.  In addition to describing the general betrayal of the standards movement, it offers concrete examples of clear, specific standards from both states and organizations like Core Knowledge and the International Baccalaureate.