Responding to Change: Goals for State Public Education. Issuegram 29.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper examines formal goal statements for education systems from 43 states to determine the overall context of such statements, governance of education goals, and goals related directly to students and learning. Context is explored by determining who is responsible for developing goal statements, the reasons for articulating education goals, and the general features of goal statements. Education governance goals discussed involve management functions and program objectives. Academic, work-related, self-fulfillment, interpersonal, and societal goals related directly to student learning are also discussed. Although equity, freedom of access, and accountability remain as goals, the paper concludes that more recent statements have emphasized the quality of education and awareness of the importance of higher-order skills. (PB)