This guide will help policymakers understand and define the principles behind fusing core subject knowledge and higher-order thinking skills. Recommendations that reflect these principles will help policymakers support 21st century readiness for all students throughout a reauthorized ESEA and other federal legislation.

A national consensus has emerged around the educational expectations for all students. Rigorous standards for college and career readiness developed by state leaders have been adopted by 44 states and the District of Columbia. State leaders have formed two consortia that are designing new assessments to support these standards. This shared…

THE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OF 3,635 STUDENTS FROM EDUCATIONALLY DEPRIVED SCHOOLS WAS COMPARED WITH STUDENTS ATTENDING SCHOOLS WHERE HIGHER SOCIO-ECONOMIC LEVELS PREVAILED. RESULTS REVEALED SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES WITH REGARD TO (1) LANGUAGE ARTS, (2) READING ACHIEVEMENT, (3) AREAS OTHER THAN LANGUAGE ARTS AND READING (ARITHMETIC AND PROBLEM…