Standards are Not Standard in Teaching

Interestingly, the “standards” as often referred to in the United States, are not standardized from one location or discipline to another.

The first step in using and integrating standards as well as establishing standard-based classes is identifying which standards you will use. Most states have standards published on their department of education websites. If not, you can always refer to national standards for each content area.

For instance, www.nsta.org lists national science standards. While these are really frameworks from which local states and districts develop their own unique standards, it is a good starting point. Regardless of whether you are teaching genetics in the 8th grade in your state or accounting at the high school level, these national standards define what key content and skills need to be taught. National standard websites also often provide generic resources and lesson plans to help implement standards-based instruction.

From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Integrating Standards in Teaching