Basic K-12 Information

U.S. educators frequently use the terms K-12 education, and sometimes PK-12 education, to refer to all primary and secondary education from pre-school prior to the first year or grade through secondary graduation. Information about certain aspects of primary and secondary education crosses all school grade levels. This is particularly true of school curricula, facilities management, and policy issues.

The School Curriculum

Primary and secondary school curricula are designed to integrate across grade levels and provide a coherent and comprehensive educational experience for each student who undertakes and completes all grade levels. Curricula also accommodate necessary differences in learning styles and abilities, as well as different interests and aptitudes. Thus, a school curriculum will offer a range of options and tracks, and students will be placed in, or elect, from among them based on diagnostic counseling, academic performance, and consultation with parents and the student. Each state and territory sets broad curricular policy that applies to schools within its jurisdiction, but local and individual variations will occur within the degrees of freedom allowed by the basic policy.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) provides extensive information and resources concerning how school curricula are developed and the specialists who do this, including information on current hot topics.

Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) provides a comprehensive, searchable database of school lesson plans and other teaching resources organized by grade level and subject.

K-12 Content Standards

Alphabet Superhighway Standards Page

State Curricular Frameworks and Content Standards

For information on specific subjects taught at the primary and secondary levels, go to Primary and Secondary Subjects.

School Facilities

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) provides extensive information on states' requirements for school building construction; management, finance, and safety issues relating to schools; and databases and other information resources.

Consortium for School Networking (COSN) is a national network of school districts, schools, organizations, and agencies involved in promoting the increased use of technology in education and making all schools Internet accessible.

Policy Issues

Go to General Information Sources for information and links to resources covering important current issues in education.