Center on Education Policy releases education report on 35 states

The Center on Education Policy, a national, independent advocate for public education and more effective public schools, has released a 2012 research-based analysis of the progress of 35 states in transitioning to new Common Core State Standards.  The newly released report, Year Two of Implementing the Common Core State Standards: States' Progress and Challenges, surveys 35 Common Core State Standards-adopting states, including the District of Columbia, and examines their progress toward full implementation. 

The Year Two of Implementing the Common Core State Standards: States' Progress and Challenges report was written by Nancy Kober, a Center on Education Policy consultant, and Diane Stark Rentner, the Center’s Director of National Programs with advisory support from Jack Jennings, President and CEO of the Center on Education Policy.  Bruce Haslam of Policy Studies Associates led a team that worked with the Center to develop and administer the 35 statewide survey.  Policy Studies Associates conducts research in education and youth development that spans evaluation, policy analysis, and integration of information, evaluation design, reporting, and data collection.

What are Common Core State Standards?

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.  The Common Core State Standards were developed to provide a clear and consistent framework to guide sound 21st century preparation for college and the workforce.  The Common Core State Standards define K-12 knowledge and skills that students require for success in college and workforce training. The Common Core State Standards are consistent and evidence-based, aligned with college and work expectations, rigorous and build upon current state standards, and are informed with global success and competition needs.

Forty five states have adopted Common Core State Standards

As of January 2012, 45 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics developed through the leadership of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Released in June 2010, these voluntary standards outline the knowledge and skills in English language arts and math that students in grades kindergarten through 12 are expected to learn to be prepared for college and careers.

Adoption isn’t the final goal

Adoption of the CCSS is only an initial step.  The standards guide teaching and learning to help ensure students receive a consistent, high-quality education.  The goal is the sound 21st century education preparation of learners.  States and school districts, as well as teachers and school leaders, in states adopting the Common Core State Standards all are part of a team that works on changes in curriculum, instruction, assessment, teacher professional development, and other areas to ensure the goal of a common, standards-based education that targets 21st  century learning success. 

Notable key points

1. The majority of states in the survey believe Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are more rigorous than previous state academic standards in math and English language arts. 
2. The majority of survey states are taking steps to familiarize state and district officials and key stakeholders with the new standards. 
3. Some states reach out as far in the familiarization and information dissemination process to include higher education personnel, parents, and community leaders.
4. The majority of survey states are working to align curriculum and assessments and teacher policies with the standards.
    

Notable timeline points

1. Most of the states in the survey do not expect to fully implement the standards until 2014-15 or later. 
2. Six states expect the standards to be fully implemented by 2012-13, and another nine anticipate full implementation.
3. In general, survey states participating in the federal Race to the Top Fund expect to implement the standards somewhat sooner than non-participating states.
    

Notable curriculum and instruction and assessment points

1. A majority of the responding states caution that having adequate resources is a major challenge to full implementation of the CCSS.
2. The majority of the CCSS-adopting states in our survey acknowledge implementing the standards will require substantial changes in curriculum and instruction.
3. All of the CCSS-adopting states surveyed have developed or are developing comprehensive state implementation plans, and most are requiring their districts to implement the standards.
4. The majority of these states are revising curriculum materials or creating new materials aligned with the standards
5. The majority of these states are adopting and implementing new assessments aligned with the standards.
    

Notable professional development and higher education points

1. All of the CCSS-adopting states are conducting statewide professional development and designing professional development materials to help teachers master the standards.
2. Most are changing their teacher preparation programs and evaluation systems.
3. Most of the survey states are forging partnerships with higher education to implement the standards, fewer are aligning college admissions requirements or curriculum with the standards.
4. Sixteen CCSS-adopting states said they plan to align undergraduate admissions requirements or first-year undergraduate curriculum with the CCSS.
    

Notable technology challenge points

1. Many states foresee major technology challenges in implementing online assessments aligned with the CCSS.
2. Twenty states cited major challenges in providing an adequate number of computers in schools to implement the new assessments (20 states),
3. Fifteen states cite challenge in having adequate internet access and bandwidth in having
4. Fourteen states cite challenge in access to expertise to address assessment-related technology problems.

Full report available

The full report, Year Two of Implementing the Common Core State Standards: States' Progress and Challenges, is available for free download in PDF form at the website of the Center on Education Policy. 

Important progress

Nancy Kober, a Center on Education Policy consultant and co-author of the study. “Even in a time of limited funding and budget cuts, states are pushing ahead with their efforts to implement the Common Core State Standards.  Many of these states are also making special efforts to smooth the transition of the new standards in their lowest-performing schools.”

Complex process

“Fully implementing the CCSS is a complex undertaking that will take time and affect many aspects of the education system,” said Diane Stark Rentner, Director of National Programs for the Center on Education Policy and co-author of the study. “Looming over this entire process is the major challenge of adequate resources. Policymakers should be aware that funding problems could cause states to curtail or delay some of their plans.”

Report holds important reflection for any education stakeholder

Implementation of Common Core State Standards is a states-led initiative that foundation pivotal, national educational challenges.  The needs of the nation’s learners for success in a global, competitive, knowledge-based environment are the vital issue. 

Whether you are involved in education as an educator, a parent, a policymaker, or industry or agency association stakeholder, the process and data documented in  the Center on Education Policy's report, "The Year Two of Implementing the Common Core State Standards: States' Progress and Challenges," are points that demand important reflection. 

Again, a PDF download of the 2012 report, available without cost or registration, can be made at the Center on Education Policy’s website. 

Find the take in this article to be helpful?  The writer is a former US National Technology and Learning Teacher of the Year, a former US Web-based Education Commissioner during the Clinton administration, and former Vice President of Global Knowledge Exchange, now writing on National Education issues.  To keep current on similar articles, view the suggested links below and click the free, “subscribe to get instant updates” link at the top of this article to get a conveniently customized news delivery.