On January 16, 1999, the State Board of Education Rules and Regulations known as
Chapter 4 Academic Standards and Assessment that define expectations for the children in
the public schools, AVTSs and charter schools of the Commonwealth became effective.
Chapter 4 contains academic standards that identify the knowledge and skills students
should learn in content areas by designated grade levels. These standards provide the
rigor of world-class standards, are measurable and have been designed so that they
provide clarity on what is expected for all students.

To guide the work of schools in helping every child succeed in meeting these
standards, the Regulations of the State Board of Education require that each school
district, area vocational-technical school (AVTS) and charter school develop a six-year
strategic plan. The plan must show in detail how the school intends to incorporate the
standards adopted by the State Board of Education into the curriculum. Further, the
process used to develop the strategic plan must include broad community involvement
that reflects the community's diversity.

It is expected that the total community -- parents, community leaders, business leaders,
students, educators and school officials -- will be involved in the crucial work of
developing the strategic plan. With this involvement, each district/school should succeed
in charting a course of action that will ensure that adequate and appropriate consideration
is given to the educational needs of every student in the district/school.