The Two-Legged Stool: The Neglected Role of Educational Standards in Improving America’s Public Schools

[...]The central point is simple: far and away themost important determinant of how quickly studentslearn is the effort of students themselves. It follows thatan increase in schools’ expectations of students couldhave important effects on the quality of public schooling.By establishing a rigorous set of educational standards,schools can create a set of incentives and rewardsto promote student learning. Higher standards canincrease the effectiveness of school-leaving policies.Instead of simply allowing students to drop out at agesixteen, schools might require an exit exam. In this way,a minimal level of academic achievement, rather thanage alone, would become the prerequisite for droppingout of school. Similarly, reductions in class size mightbecome more effective if, at the same time, schoolsincreased the standards that students at each grade levelare expected to meet.[...]