In 2009 the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association in partnership with Achieve, ACT and the College Board launched the Common Core State Standards Initiative, a state-led process of adopting common standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics across the nation. This initiative will provide states with fewer, clearer, and higher standards that are research-and-evidence based as well as internationally benchmarked. By adopting these standards, states will be better equipped to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and in a career workforce in a global economy. Currently there are 48 states and 3 territories that are committed to adopting the standards. Adoption of the standards is voluntary but should a state chose to adopt; they must adopt 100% of the common core K-12 standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics within three years. A state will have adopted when the standards authorizing body within the state has taken formal action to adopt and implement the common core standards.

While this is primarily a state-led movement, the Obama administration is supporting this initiative to develop common standards by allocating part of the $4 billion “Race to the Top” funds towards the common core initiative, including $350 million for the development of common assessments. Having common standards is a significant and historic movement as students will now have clearer and consistent expectations across the nation, which can help minimize academic challenges when moving across state or district lines.

NASBE is an equal partner with the Council of Chief State School Officers and National Governors Association on the Common Core Standards Initiative. The three organizations will work closely together to facilitate the dialogue related to standards adoption and implementation. The focus of this effort is to engage state boards of education, other governing bodies, and the larger public in supporting the adoption and implementation of a rigorous and useable set of academic standards upon which a robust and coherent educational system can be based.

NASBE is currently organizing regional conferences to give State Boards an opportunity to gain an information infrastructure of materials and resources on the common core as well as prepare State Boards for the policy and advocacy work that will be essential to a smooth approval process of the common core standards. The conferences are funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 

The Final K-12 Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics were released June 2, 2010 at 10:00am EDT in Georgia. To view the standards go to www.corestandards.org

 Common Core State Adoption Time Frames: This is a document with a listing of states and their anticipated time frame for adopting the Common Core State Standards. This information is based off of phone and electronic communication with state board members and commissioners of education. For questions, clarifications, or updates please contact Elizabeth Ross at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it