Curriculum & Standards: Why They’re Not the Same

As a former school principal and long-time educator, I often find myself in conversations with parents, community members, and even prospective teachers where terms like “curriculum” and “standards” get used interchangeably. It’s an easy mix-up—after all, they both have to do with what kids are learning in school. But here’s the thing: they are not the same, and understanding the difference is essential to knowing how schools function, how kids learn, and how decisions are made in the classroom.

So What Are Standards?

Think of standards as the destination. They’re the what—what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of a lesson, unit, or school year. Standards are set at the state (or sometimes national) level and serve as a guide for what should be covered in each grade level and subject.

For example, in North Carolina (where I reside), a fourth-grade math standard might say:

“Students will be able to multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers.”

That’s the goal. It doesn’t say how to teach it, what examples to use, what textbook to pull from, or how many days to spend on it. It simply says: by the end of the year, students should be able to do this.

Now, Let’s Talk Curriculum

Curriculum is the roadmap you take to get to that destination. It’s the how. Curriculum includes the lessons, materials, activities, books, and assessments that teachers use in the classroom to help students meet the standards.

Using the same fourth-grade math example, one school might use a curriculum like Eureka Math, which introduces multiplication through number stories, visual models, and lots of hands-on practice. Another school might use Go Math! or Envision, which may use more traditional approaches like direct instruction and textbook exercises.

Even though both schools are working toward the same standard, the way students get there—the curriculum—is different. And that’s okay. Curriculum choices often reflect a school’s philosophy, resources, or student needs.

Real Life Analogy: Driving to the Beach

Let’s say you and a friend are both heading to Myrtle Beach for the weekend. The destination is the same (that’s the standard), but you take I-95 South while your friend takes back roads and scenic routes (that’s the curriculum). You might stop for coffee at a gas station while your friend pulls into a local diner. In the end, you both (hopefully) end up with sand in your shoes, but your journeys looked quite different.

This is exactly what happens in schools. Teachers and schools might use different programs, resources, or activities to get students to the same academic outcomes.

Why the Difference Matters

Understanding the distinction between standards and curriculum matters for a few reasons:

1. Clarifies who is responsible for what.
   State departments of education set the standards. School districts or schools select or create the curriculum. This is why, for example, one district may choose a phonics-heavy reading program, while another leans into a balanced literacy approach—yet both are aiming at the same reading standards.
2. Prevents miscommunication.
   Sometimes parents say, “I don’t like this Common Core math curriculum.” In reality, they’re often referring to the curriculum—not the standards. Common Core (or state standards) sets the goals; the curriculum is how the school chooses to reach them.
3. Empowers meaningful discussion.
   If a student is struggling, knowing whether it’s an issue with the standard (what’s being asked) or the curriculum (how it’s being taught) helps educators and families better support that child.
4. Supports local decision-making.
   Schools and teachers deserve the flexibility to use curriculum that fits their students. Standards ensure consistency in expectations; curriculum allows for creativity, cultural relevance, and personalized learning.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, standards and curriculum are partners in the learning process, but they’re not interchangeable. Standards tell us what we want students to achieve. Curriculum helps us get them there. As a principal, I want my teachers to be clear on where they’re going, but I also want to give them the tools and flexibility to make the journey meaningful for every student in the room.

So the next time you hear these terms used, I hope you’ll think of the difference—not just for the sake of semantics, but for the sake of better understanding how our schools work and how we can support our children’s learning.