State Adoptions of Common Standards Steam Ahead

Education Week (Gewertz) - Nearly half the states have adopted a new set of common academic standards, barely a month after their final release and, in most cases, with little opposition. As of today, 23 states have decided to replace their mathematics and English/language arts standards with the common set. Another flurry of adoptions is expected by Aug. 2, since the $4 billion federal Race to the Top contest gives more points to states that meet that deadline.

Though many challenges remain in crafting curricula and tests that embody the aims of the new standards, the mounting adoption numbers represent a major landscape change in a short time. The NGA and the CCSSO announced the initiative in April 2009. They released the first public draft of the standards in March and the final version June 2. ("Final Version of Common Standards Unveiled.")