The district should have articulated standards for each grade that connects to the next. These standards should be publicly available through the district website or as handouts to parents by grade at Open Houses. Some districts have these posted on their websites and parents can view them. These standards show what will be taught by grade and what a student should know as they exit that grade.
The district can help to strengthen the schools by having strong school councils that are meaningful in their participation and discourse. Each school develops an annual performance plan per Ed Reform law and these reports should also be made publicly available to parents and citizens so they have the information they need to determine their school choice.
