A dynamic discussion about education is taking place between educators and parents, business and community people in this state. Growing numbers of citizens who care about education have been working together to create what will be the driver of reform--higher academic standards.

Oddly enough, Washington has never had common goals for which students and educators were accountable. Earlier attempts to set standards left districts to develop their own lists, and there was no coherent attempt to measure achievement.

After much study, intense discussion and thoughtful public debate, statewide academic standards have been developed for the "basics"--reading, writing, communication, and mathematics, and for science, social studies, the arts, and health & fitness.

Integrated into the design of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements are the state's learning Goals 3 and 4 as outlined in the Education Reform Act. Under the law, Goal 3 asked us to link thinking skills to the basics; Goal 4 asked us to link the Essential Academic Learning Requirements to the world of work.

Ultimately, learners must understand the link between their personal efforts and performance in school and their decisions about future career and educational opportunities.

The Essential Academic Learning Requirements are clear targets for students and teachers across the state. Setting higher standards calls for better methods of measuring student and teacher performance.

View the Washington State EALR’^S Web site (http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/default.aspx)