The development of common standards and shared assessments radically alters the market for innovation in curriculum development, professional development, and formative assessments. Previously, these markets operated on a state-by-state basis, and often on a district-by-district basis. But the adoption of common standards and shared assessments means that education entrepreneurs will enjoy national markets where the best products can be taken to scale.
-Joanne Weiss, Chief of Staff to Education Secretary Duncan and former CEO of the New Schools Venture Fund
When I talk to teachers, students, and parents, and when I think about education policy and politics, two simple questions almost always come to the fore.
• If America needs to reform its public schools, why aren't public school teachers, students, and families leading the education reform movement?
• If teachers, students, and public school families are most familiar with the problems with our current school system, why aren't our voices being heard when we question education policy, or suggest better alternatives?
For years, public school stakeholders have struggled with the burden of reform policies they ha
