Idaho Education News: State Board Approves Common Core State Standards

Members of the State Board of Training today approved the K-12 Common Core State Standards for math and English language arts to best prepare Idaho students for the 21st century. The standards will now go to the Idaho Legislature in January for final approval. If adopted, the new standards will go into force in the 2013-2014 school year. "We must ensure we make a public education organization that prepares all students to be successful in animation after high school.

Idaho students are set for this challenge," Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. Idaho initially signed on to the Common Core State Standards Initiative in June 2009. The final standards were promulgated in June 2010. Adopting the Common Core State Standards is voluntary. Thirty-eight states, the Territory of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands have already adopted the Common Core State Standards. Neighboring states Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have all adopted these standards. Staff from the Land Department of Education traveled across the country in June and in September hosting two series of regional public meetings to excuse the Common Core State Standards and to gain feedback. The Section also hosted official public hearings in each region across Idaho throughout October. The Common Core State Standards Initiative builds directly on previous efforts of leading organizations and states that have focussed on developing college- and career-ready standards. These standards determine the cognition and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate from high school able to succeed beyond high school in post-secondary education and the workforce. Specifically, the standards:

• Are aligned with college and workforce expectations;
• Are clear, understandable and consistent;
• Include rigorous content and covering of knowledge through high-order skills;
• Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
• Are informed by standards in other top-performing countries, so that all students are inclined to win in our global economy and society; and
• Are evidence-based.

Learn more around the Common Core State Standards and how they equate to Idaho`s current standards on the Land Department of Education`s website. Be trusted to let us know if you accept any questions! ~ Melissa M.