Resources

States are required to demonstrate that they have in place a coordinated system of content standards, performance standards, and assessments that can effectively evaluate student achievement in reading and mathematics.

Cowritten by Senior Research Associate at WestEd Eric Crane, this report is designed to help states navigate the multitude of issues surrounding the development of performance standards. The report:

• Synthesizes important background information about setting coherent performance standards
• Summarizes existing work and promising practices in the states
• Analyzes the issues concerning the development of performance-level descriptors, including ways to maximize their effectiveness

The report also features a summary of key decision points for policymakers and a chart of selected state examples.