Galion Middle School is focused on increasing student achievement for all children. We know students are most successful in school when they understand what they are expected to learn. Therefore, our classroom teachers are focusing instruction and assessment through Ohio's new academic content standards. The content standards are clear statements describing the knowledge and skills of what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through high school graduation.

The content standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies. technology, and the arts have been developed by hundreds of Ohio teachers, parents, families, business leaders and community members throughout the state. These state standards provide guidance on knowledge and skills at every grade level so that the content is consistent across the state. Standards do not tell teachers how to teach, but rather what to teach. This allows every classroom to be unique and more flexible to the needs of all students.

Academic content standards became state law in June 2001, resulting from recommendations of the 1999 Governor's Commission for Student Success. In 2001, the federal No Child Left Behind Act also became law. It requires that states not only have standards, but also have tests to determine if students are meeting these standards. Therefore, each year, students in grades 3-10 will participate in Ohio Achievement Tests that measure how well students are mastering the skills and knowledge being taught through the content standards.