Final answer:
Externally-defined standards, such as the No Child Left Behind law, have generally failed to drive positive changes in education due to the "one size fits all" approach being inefficient and ineffective for the diverse educational needs of different states.
Step-by-step explanation:
Externally-defined standards are not typically successful in driving behaviors that close provider gap 2. This statement reflects the challenges found in applying standardized regulations or measures—especially when these are imposed without considering the unique characteristics and needs of individual organizations or sectors, such as education.
In the context of education, the adaptation of national standards like the No Child Left Behind law attempted to override local educational approaches with the intention of improving educational outcomes. However, such standards often do not account for local nuances and can lead to inefficiency and underperformance. This is because they lack the flexibility needed to cater to diverse educational environments and may not have the necessary systems in place for proper long-term evaluations.
The idea that a "one size fits all" approach to education could be effective has proved, more often than not, to be far more negative than positive. Moreover, the variability in proficiency standards across states illustrates that without consensus on what constitutes as 'proficient', external standards can have limited impact. States with rigorous standards suffer, while those with lower standards may go unchecked, thus not promoting true educational progress.