Education Reform, Based On Curriculum Standards

Standards-based education reform(SBER), in its general sense, means that curriculum standards in basic education are developed first, then partial elements of educational system are reformed according to the curriculum standards, which aims to attain or exceed the curriculum standards. Many countries in the world now have adopted this strategy, such as USA, Australia, New Zealand and China. In its narrow sense, SBER means all elements of educational system are reformed based on predetermined curriculum standards in basic education, which is a systemic educational reform, aims to attain or exceed the curriculum standards. This thesis focuses on systemic SBER in USA. It first examines the meaning, reasons and important elements of SBER in USA, then compares it with SBER in China, finally makes some revelations and recommendations for SBER in China.Specifically, the whole thesis is divided into the following three parts.Part One, Overview of SBER. This part is to study what is SBER and why it is adopted by USA. This part consists of two chapters. Chapter One, Meaning of SBER. In order to answer what is SBER, this chapter analyses the different definitions about SBER, distinguishes it from outcomes-based education reform, describes its origin, development and status quo. Chapter Two, Reasons of SBER. This chapter analyses economic, personal, educational, and international educational factors.Part Two, Elements of SBER. This part is to research the important components of SBER in USA. This part is divided into five chapters. Chapter Three, American Curriculum Standards: Characteristics and Development. Chapter Four, Aligned Curriculum and Teaching and learning. This chapter is to study the features of curriculum materials and teaching strategies aligned with curriculum standards. Chapter Five, Aligned Assessment. This chapter is to research the features, status quo and challenges of assessment system aligned with curriculum standards. Chapter Six, Aligned Accountability. This chapter is to study the features, status quo and challenges of educational accountability system aligned with curriculum standards. Chapter Seven, Aligned Staff Preparation and Training. This chapter is to research how to reform staff preparation and training according to curriculum standards.Part Three, Comparison of SBER in USA and in China and Revelations.This part consists of two chapters. Chapter Eight, Comparison of SBER in USA and in China. This chapter compares the reasons and processes, elements and overall features of SBER in USA and in China, and makes appropriate interpretation. Chapter Nine, Thinking About and Suggestions for SBER in China. In this chapter, based on above comparison research, I think about some questions in SBER in China, and make some suggestions for SBER in China.