NASBE Sees Common Core Standards as Major Advance in Public Education

ARLINGTON, Va., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) supports the Common Core Standards being released today as a major step toward elevating the expectations for every student and looks forward to assisting state boards in this effort. NASBE is proud of its role in the process for developing the proposed standards for math and English language arts drafted by the National Governor's Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

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Today's announcement is an important step toward establishing a uniform set of voluntary, rigorous, and consistent K–12 standards for American students. In most states, state boards of education are the authority charged with establishing academic standards, and here the process for adopting these guidelines is in its earliest stages, with three state boards (Kentucky, Hawaii and Maryland) approving or adopting the standards thus far. After adoption, the hard work of implementing the standards, developing curricula and assessments aligned to them, and training teachers and other professional staff begins. NASBE stands behind its members as they step up to tackle these challenges and work to ensure a high-quality education for all children.

"The release of the Common Core Standards will help guarantee that the same high standards and opportunities for achievement are expected of every student in all parts of the country for the first time," said NASBE Executive Director Brenda Welburn. "When every child is able to compete on a level playing field, the chance for every child to succeed is inherently elevated. The National Association of State Boards of Education looks forward to assisting state boards as they move toward that goal."

These changes can also help grow America's economy, as well as improve academics. Many nations and economies worldwide are driven by their competition with the U.S., and many of these economic rivals--whose students routinely outscore their American peers on global assessments--have long had national standards in place to fuel their education systems.

Podcasts, presentations and other materials from NASBE's regional meetings on the Common Core Initiative are available by following this link.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America's state and territorial boards of education. NASBE exists to strengthen State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for citizens and students. For more, visit www.nasbe.org.

SOURCE National Association of State Boards of Education