What should our children learn in school? And what do we need to provide to support that learning?

This chapter explores the “stuff” of schooling, such as the facts and skills we want children to learn (the "standards"), the tools we use to deliver it (the "curriculum"), the way we actually teach ("pedagogy"), and how we know whether kids are learning ("assessments"). This stuff matters. It reflects our collective expectations. It also provides a framework for evaluating whether our schools are getting the job done.

But what schools should teach is not as clear-cut as it may seem. This chapter digs into the content of learning - the stuff that students and teachers spend their time together actually working on. It also explains the role the state plays in shaping those decisions.

What's in this Chapter?

We convinced Jeff to narrate a short video preview of each lesson. We hope you get a kick out of the awkward expressions we captured him in...