Research on educational standards and school discipline shows that curriculum reform may also improve discipline by engaging students in a challenging environment. The widespread decline in high school standards seems to have come from diluting both the high school and college liberal arts curricula of the past, with students abandoning careers in technology development for those in technology application. With diversity among schools in their curricula, there has been a corresponding diversity of standards; school boards and state departments of education must specify standards that clarify public expectations of schools, provide guidelines for their use of resources, and develop accurate tests of school effectiveness. Diversity also affects the application of disciplinary guidelines in schools. Although research shows discipline being critical to student achievement, changing social standards have eroded the traditional authority structure in public schools. Rather than imposing more extrinsic controls on students to try to improve learning, however, schools can establish an orderly environment through academic challenges and self-discipline. Thus, to raise educational standards and improve discipline, curriculum improvement--including more demanding courses in elementary schools, specified competencies statewide, and an upgrading of textbooks--would challenge students and satisfy public demand for better educational quality. (JW)