Standards-Based Curricula: curricula based on content standards as explicated by experts in the field 
Content or Curriculum Standards: statements of the skills and knowledge that students should know by the end of their secondary schooling 
Authentic Assessment (Performance Assessment, Alternative Testing): testing methods that  require students to create an answer or product that demonstrates knowledge or skills. This approach uses the following assessment techniques: 
 

Portfolio: a purposeful collection of student work that demonstrates student efforts, progress and achievement; students participate actively by providing input, reflection, and evaluation.  Demonstration/Certificate of Mastery: a variety of assessment techniques including exhibitions, presentations, experiments, and performance tasks; students demonstrate competence or comprehensive understanding as part of the daily course work in formal evaluations.  Projects: individual and team efforts that typically utilize investigative activities; knowledge and competencies to be gained are identifiable; students can be observed and assessed in action.  Career-Technical Assessment Program (C-TAP): a comprehensive instrument used to assess a student's preparedness for entry-level jobs and post-secondary education and training. C-TAP includes assessment measures for academic, career preparation, and career technical (model curriculum) performance standards, in an integrated form.

Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) convened in February 1990 to examine the demands of the workplace and to determine whether the current and future workplace is capable of meeting those demands. The Commission identified five competencies (skills necessary for workplace success) and three foundations (skills and qualities that underlie competencies). 

Identified competencies are resources, interpersonal skills, information, systems, technology. 

Identified foundations are basic skills, thinking skills, personal qualities. 

The extent to which SCANS skills are incorporated into curriculum is a good basis for benchmarking the quality of curriculum content.