Three Paths, One Destination: Standards-Based Reform in Maryland, Massachusetts and Texas

In 2001, leaders in three states — Maryland, Massachusetts and Texas — asked Achieve to conduct independent reviews of their policies and practices around standards, assessment, accountability, teaching quality and public engagement. The opportunity to study and report on three high-reform states — states that amassed a record of successful, broadly implemented improvements — presented an unusual opportunity to explore key drivers of higher achievement. This report, Three Paths, One Destination: Standards-Based Reform in Maryland, Massachusetts and Texas, creates a picture of standards-based reform that can inform other states as they make the tough choices necessary over to raise standards and achievement.