A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Improving America's School: A Newsletter on Issues in School Reform - Spring 1996

Discipline-Based Standards

The success of NCTM's Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics in 1989 encouraged other discipline-based associations to design standards in most major content areas. Using these standards is entirely voluntary, but states and LEAs say they help define common academic themes and a united vision.

Mathematics Standards. The Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics recommend a shift from paper-and-pencil drill to involving students with open-ended problems, investigations, computers and calculators, and mathematical communication. They emphasize using actual problems in lieu of textbook activities or memorized facts to stress real-world applications and connections to other subjects. NCTM's standards also suggest that math curricula should challenge all students, not just those pursuing mathematical studies in college. Follow up standards on professional development and assessment in mathematics are now also available from NCTM.

Information on Math Standards can be obtained from:

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
1906 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091
(703)620-9840

Standard Setting in Other Disciplines. In addition to mathematics, voluntary standards are also completed or in draft from the following other organizations.

Arts
Music Educators National Conference
Publication Sales
1806 Robert Fulton Drive
(703)860-4000

Civics and Government
Center for Civic Education
5146 Douglas Fir Rd.
Calabasas, CA 91320-1467
(818)591-9321

Economics
National Council on Economics Education
432 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016

English/Language Arts
National Council of Teachers of English
1111 W. Kenyon Road
Urbana, IL 61801
(217)328-3870

International Reading Association
800 Barksdale Road
P.O. Box 8139
Newark, NJ 19711
(302)731-1600

Foreign Language
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Inc.
6 Executive Plaza
Yonkers, NY 10701-6801
(914)963-8830

Geography
The National Council for Geographic Education
1600 M. St. NW, Suite 4200
Washington, DC 20036
(202)775-7832

History
Council for Basic Education
1319 F Street, NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20004-1152
(202)347-4171

Physical Education
National Association for Sport and Physical Education
1900 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091
(703)476-3461

Science
National Academy of Science
National Science Standards
National Research Council
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20418
(202)334-1399

American Association for the Advancement of Science
Benchmarks for Science Literacy
1333 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202)326-6400

The National Science Teachers Association
A High School Framework for Science Education
1940 Wilson Blvd., Second Floor
Arlington, VA 22201-3000
(800)722-6782

Social Studies
National Council for the Social Studies
3501 Newark St., NW
Washington, DC 20016-3167
(202)699-7840
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[Standards Setting Focuses Reform in Local Districts]