The Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE) has developed five standards for effective teaching and learning for all students, including those placed at risk for academic achievement. These standards emerge from principles of practice that have proven successful with majority and minority at-risk students in numerous classrooms. This digest focuses specifically on two of these standards: developing language and literacy across the curriculum and connecting school to students' lives. Examples of how these standards are implemented into the classroom are provided, and indicators are introduced for each standard, revealing its action components and their functions in teaching and learning. (JL)