Your success in the classroom will be based on several factors, but the most important factor is how your students perform on the state assessment.  In most states, your state test is the measuring stick…some states are implementing “End Of Course” exams in high schools to determine mastery of key concepts.  Whatever the assessment, you need to follow this recipe to ensure success:

1.      What concepts are on the test? – If you are going to be successful in teaching what’s on the test, you must first make sure you know what’s on the test!  Sound simple, doesn’t it?  Your state standards can be found here.  Know your state standards backwards and forwards.  Your district probably has a set of benchmarks for your subject and grade level as well.  Ask your district’s Curriculum Director, your Department Chairperson, or your Principal for a list (if they haven’t given them to you already).  Your interest in these documents will alert your administrators that they have chosen someone who is “on the ball”…you have scored those invisible points that I keep talking about.

                                     Go back to "NCLB & You"