The Council for Basic Education (CBE), a national non-profit organization, advocates high academic standards for all students and exemplary teaching in every classroom in our nation’s public schools.

CBE was founded in 1956 by a group of concerned citizens who were convinced that there is a close relationship between a healthy democracy and excellence in public education and were dismayed at the academic deficiencies in the nation's elementary and secondary schools. Throughout its history, CBE has directed its programs and publications to strengthen teaching and learning of the liberal arts to prepare students for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship. CBE has earned a reputation as an impartial critic of education reform, and its Basic Education provides a monthly forum for analysis and comment.

In promoting high academic standards for all students, CBE advises states and local districts as they develop, review, revise, and implement academic content and performance standards. CBE helps build curriculum frameworks aligned to standards and provides professional development for teachers and principals.

CBE focuses on improving teacher quality to ensure exemplary teaching in every classroom. The Standards-based Teacher Education Project (STEP)® a university-level collaborative project between CBE and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), was established in 1996 to offer guidance and support to Arts and Sciences and Education faculty as they redesign teacher preparation programs by using K-12 academic standards and new teacher licensure standards to strengthen program requirements, courses, and assessments.