In education, what does the term 'standards' refer to?

The term 'standards' in education specifically refers to specific learning goals. These are well-defined expectations of what students should know and be able to do at each grade level or in each subject area. Standards serve as a framework for educational objectives and they guide curriculum development, instruction, and assessment practices.

By setting clear and measurable targets, standards help ensure consistency across educational systems and provide educators with a basis for evaluating student progress and achievement. They are crucial in shaping the learning experiences that educators design for their students and help to align education with the skills and knowledge that are needed in the wider world.

General teaching guidelines, teacher performance evaluations, and community education initiatives refer to different aspects of the educational landscape, but they do not capture the specificity and purpose of standards in defining the educational outcomes expected from students.