School Reform

School reform refers to initiatives to improve the quality of education in schools. Beginning in the 1990s, the United States launched nationwide efforts to improve student achievement in kindergarten through twelfth grade (K12) education. Concerns over the consistency and quality of education that states and school districts provide their students has fueled concerted efforts to monitor academic performance, intervene to ensure grade-level proficiency in core subjects and skills, and improve the competitiveness of US students internationally.

One of the main goals outlined in education reform policies in the United States is closing the achievement gap—disparities in educational outcomes between students of different races, genders, or income levels. Examples include white student achievement relative to Black and Hispanic student achievement,...