Other Standards
Read annotated references of other state, national, and international standards and programs. Each entry includes the name of the sponsor, a link to the sponsor’s Web site, and a brief overview of the standards or program and any supplemental materials.
State Programs | National Standards | International Standards
State Programs
The Iowa Basic Skills Certification Program issues a total of fifteen basic literacy skill certificates in the subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and listening skills. The program documents the attainment of basic literacy skill competencies at four different basic literacy skill certification levels based on the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System.
National Standards
American Diploma Project (ADP)
The American Diploma Project (ADP; 2001) is a joint project launched by Achieve, Inc., the Education Trust, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation. The goals are to (a) determine the English and mathematics skills that high school graduates need to be successful in college and the workplace and (b) help states incorporate those skills into standards, assessments, and high school graduation requirements. ADP outlines college and workplace readiness benchmarks in English and mathematics and provides samples of how academic standards are used in the real world.
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)/International Reading Association (IRA)
The National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association developed the book, Standards for the English Language Arts, a set of 12 standards to help ensure that all students are knowledgeable and proficient users of language. The Web site offers a downloadable introduction, table of contents, chapter excerpt, and list of the standards. Additional information is available for purchase.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000) provides an outline of the essential components of a quality mathematics program and a set of 10 content standards for mathematics instruction. The first five standards describe goals in the mathematical content areas of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. The second five standards describe goals for the processes of problem solving, reasoning and proof, connections, communication, and representation. The Web site includes an appendix with 10 standards and grade-specific expectations for the grade clusters of Pre-K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
ESL Standards for Pre-K–12 Students (1997) is framed around three goals and nine standards. Each standard is further explicated by grade-specific descriptors, sample progress indicators, and classroom vignettes with discussions. Revised standards (under review, 2005) provide more specific detail for developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills along a proficiency continuum, and provide concrete examples for developing language skills in the content areas. The document and some supplementary materials are available as electronic editions from the Web site.
International Standards
Developed by the Adult, Community and Further Education Division of the Office of Training and Further Education in Victoria, Australia, the National Reporting System is based on Indicators of Competence. This set of indicators comprises statements about achievement in reading, writing, oral communication, learning strategies and numeracy across five levels of competence. Each level-specific set of indicators includes: Conditions of Performance, Language and Literacy Features and Strategies, Numeracy Features and Strategies, and Sample Activities.
Canada – Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 (CLB 2000) describe a person’s ability to use the English language to accomplish a set of tasks at 12 benchmark levels, in four language skill areas: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Each benchmark contains a global performance profile, selected competencies, and examples of communication tasks. The CLB 2000 are available in two companion documents, CLB 2000: English as a Second Language for Adults and CLB 2000: ESL for Literacy Learners.
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) developed The National Standards for Adult Literacy and Numeracy as part of a national strategy to improve literacy and numeracy skills. The standards outline the range of knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of adults to function and progress at work and in society. The DfES Web site links to Read-Write-Plus which includes descriptive resources for understanding and using the standards at five levels. Guidance and examples are provided for the standards at all levels.