A system that is standards-based aligns policies, practices and supports to ensure all students achieve or exceed the academic standards in all content areas. In this section of Getting Started, actions and resources are provided to help educator teams develop shared understanding of a standards-based education system.

Shared understanding of a standards-based education system is a goal achieved through the intentional collaboration of educators. Understanding is considered to be shared when all staff can articulate:

• the role of academic standards and benchmarks,
• the components of a standards-based education system,
• connections between core values and a standards-based education system, and
• implementation frameworks that ensure students benefit from improved instructional practices. 

Read the Overview of a Standards-based Education System to learn more about the guidance provided in the Actions below.
First time visitors to the Portal should review the content of the User Guide.