Feeling overwhelmed by too many standards? In ten short online lessons, learn a clear, manageable framework for identifying what’s truly essential—without eliminating any standards! Experience how to prioritize the most critical standards in all content areas and align them across the grades for coherent, focused learning at every level.

MODULE 1 ~ THE ESSENTIAL STANDARDS SPOTLIGHT: ILLUMINATE WHAT MATTERS MOST

LESSON 1: SOLVING THE DILEMMA—TOO MANY STANDARDS!

Discover this commonsense solution: Abandon the “inch deep, mile wide” superficial coverage of too many standards in favor of prioritization.

LESSON 2: PRIORITIZATION, NOT ELIMINATION

Learn how Essential Standards and supporting standards work together to emphasize certain standards over others, without eliminating any of them.

LESSON 3: FROM GUESSWORK TO GUIDELINES

See how the R-E-A-L selection criteria eliminate the guesswork and get everyone on the same page about which standards matter most.

LESSON 4: EXPERIENCE THE R-E-A-L CRITERIA IN ACTION

Select your first Essential Standards, share your choices with colleagues, and see how this proven process leads to group consensus.

LESSON 5: THE ASSESSMENT REALITY CHECK

Discover how to use state assessment information and data to confirm your Essential Standards choices or make strategic revisions, ensuring your selections align with what's truly emphasized on the test.

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MODULE 2 ~ BRIDGING THE LEARNING JOURNEY: PK-12 STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

LESSON 6: SPOTTING THE ROADBLOCKS: GAPS, OVERLAPS, AND OMISSIONS

Learn to identify the three critical issues that become visible when viewing standards side-by-side across all grades: gaps (missing standards between grades), overlaps (standards repeated too many times), and omissions (standards missing from multiple consecutive grades).

LESSON 7: BUILDING THE BRIDGE: FROM GRADE BANDS TO PK-12

Learn the systematic two-step process for aligning Essential Standards: grade-band teams first examine adjacent grades for continuity, then all teams collaborate for a comprehensive PK-12 review and final adjustments.

LESSON 8: ENGAGE ALL EDUCATORS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS

Learn practical strategies for involving all educators who weren't part of the initial selection process in finalizing the Essential Standards, ensuring comprehensive buy-in across schools and the district for successful implementation.

LESSON 9: GUIDELINES FOR PRIORITIZING DIFFERENT CONTENT AREAS

The prioritization process works equally well in all content areas. Yet the standards in each content area are organized differently. Receive guidelines for prioritizing standards in ELA, math, science, history/social science and other content areas.

LESSON 10: INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: FAQs ABOUT ESSENTIAL STANDARDS

Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions educators have about identifying and implementing Essential Standards in their schools and districts.