What foundation should school leaders rely on to implement academic goals with rigor and measurable expectations?

The foundation that school leaders should rely on to implement academic goals with rigor and measurable expectations is high-quality standards. High-quality standards provide clear expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and in each subject area. They serve as benchmarks that guide curriculum development, instruction, and assessment, ensuring that all students are held to the same rigorous expectations.

By using high-quality standards, school leaders can create a focused framework that aligns teaching practices with desired academic outcomes. This alignment allows for effective instructional planning and the implementation of assessment techniques that measure student progress toward these established standards. Furthermore, adherence to high-quality standards helps to establish consistency across classrooms and grade levels, setting a solid foundation for academic success.

While student feedback, teacher evaluations, and budget allocations are important components of the educational process, they do not serve as the foundational framework for setting rigorous academic goals. Instead, they can be evaluated in relation to the established high-quality standards to enhance teaching and learning in the school.