ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the sub-claim of Opportunity-to-Learn (OTL) under Principle 1, Fairness, using the Toulmin model of argumentation. OTL standards provide a benchmark against which the opportunities that a school provides can be measured. Using OTL standards as a guide, students can measure whether they have a realistic shot at learning the subjects the state requires and whether they will have a fair chance to compete for college. OTL standards can help students, parents, communities and school officials to discover and correct problems in schools. OTL is important for other stakeholders in the school context: the teacher, school administrators, and state or national policy makers in understanding whether the curricula goals are appropriate for the grade level and whether instructional strategies and resources are available to all students. OTL can be considered a critical component of the teaching–learning–assessing model in the classroom.
