Most states have mandated curriculum standards and tests for their students. This article describes a program used by two educators in New Jersey. The aim of the program is to help teachers understand and use their state’s standards and test specifications to improve classroom instruction and raise achievement. The program is part of a research project being conducted by the authors.

Today many states around the country have curriculum standards, and state developed assessments to monitor the implementation of those standards. Most state standards define expected outcomes, that is, what students need to know and be able to do, but do not mandate specific strategies or pedagogy used by local districts. Elementary, middle and high school students around the country take at least one state mandated test during their school career. However, 35 out of 50 states do not require teachers take a course, or demonstrate competency, in the area of assessment. Hence, teachers generally have limits to their knowledge of how to design and use tests and assessment tools. Richard Stiggins (1999) wrote, " It is time to rethink the relationship between assessment and effective schooling."