WASHINGTON, D.C.--The American Federation of Teachers' report of state standards reforms, which has become an annual thing, finds progress on its major concerns.

The quality of the content standards for students adopted by the states has improved, according to the AFT. Iowa still remains the only state without state level standards, although local districts in that state are working on standards, according to other sources. AFT found stronger versions of standards in 14 states. However, only 17 states have standards in all four core subjects.

AFT considers some state standards exemplary, especially those in Virginia. It received the "exemplary" tag in the core subjects of English, math, science, and social studies. California is the only other state with exemplary standards in English. In math, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia have exemplary standards, according to AFT. In science, the other states are Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In social studies, the other states are California and Florida, as well as the District of Columbia.

Four more states began developing assessments linked to their standards compared to last year, bringing the total to 46. Some states are continuing to use nationally standardized tests, but AFT questions if these can be aligned to state standards.

AFT claims that 21 states and the District of Columbia say they will definitely or probably give their students the voluntary national reading and math tests. However, President Clinton chided governors at the annual meeting in Las Vegas for their slow buy in to the national tests. So far, only six have definitely said they would participate. Iowa is the only state that has said it definitely would not use the tests.

An AFT goal is to have the standards "count," that is, be used to motivate students to work harder. It reports that only seven states are seeking to end social promotion by requiring students to meet state standards before being promoted (three more states than last year). Although 20 states have or plan to have high school graduation exams aligned with their standards, only 13 will base those exams on 10th grade standards or higher.

Only 13 states require and fund programs to help low perform¡ing students reach the state standards. Six other states require interventions but don't fund them.