Educational standards, also known as academic standards or learning standards, provide clear goals for student learning for teachers, students, parents, and the community. South Carolina has educational standards detailing what students should know and be able to do in order to be successful in each grade and each subject.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM?

Standards list desired student outcomes — the knowledge and skills students need to learn. That learning can take place in many different ways.

Curriculum includes the materials used and the order (planned sequence) in which teachers will teach students the knowledge and skills described in the standards.

DO STANDARDS TELL TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH?

Standards list desired student outcomes — the knowledge and skills students need to learn. They help teachers focus on the outcome — what knowledge and skills their students should have at the appropriate education level.

With clear targets like these, teachers can build the best lessons and environments for their classrooms.

Standards also help students and parents by setting clear, realistic goals for success and making sure that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of what is expected.