The term "standard" relates to the recently drafted Curriculum Standards that, in conjunction with the Curriculum Scope and Curriculum Accountability components, form the basis of the draft South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability (SACSA) Framework, across the eight areas of learning. The (draft) definition of a Curriculum Standard is that it, "provides a common reference point for teachers and other educators to use in monitoring, judging and reporting on learner achievement (in clearly defined skills, knowledge and dispositions) over time". The Curriculum Standards will be defined by sets of learning outcomes, evidence of learner performance and work samples.

The term "benchmarks" relates to the Literacy (writing, spelling and reading) and Numeracy Benchmarks. These articulate nationally agreed minimum acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy for students in Years 3, 5 and 7.