INDUSTRY SKILL STANDARDS AND EDUCATION REFORM

Federal and state legislation encourages the development of industry s kill standards to improve the link between educators and employers and better define skill and curricular needs. However, some education ref ormers fear that a strong focus on the needs of business through indus try standards will thwart education reform. The authors use an analysi s of 22 skill standards pilot projects to reach mixed conclusions. The majority of standards appear to clash with the goals of broader educa tion reform, although a small number of the projects could have positi ve effects.