The Common Core State Standards, which were adopted by more than 40 states and the District of Columbia, are one of the most important reforms to American public education in decades. The standards will improve the quality of education by creating a roadmap for the knowledge and skills that students need to be successful in the 21st century. If implemented correctly, the new standards and aligned tests will make rote memorization, simplified curricula, and bubble tests things of the past.
Despite the many benefits of the Common Core, its bipartisan support, and its widespread adoption, the success of the standards is in jeopardy. Teachers and parents are worried about the implementation of the standards, and many teachers are apprehensive about the use of student performance on the new assessments in teacher evaluation.
Fortunately, these issues can be fixed, and many states across the country are getting aspects of implementation right. Please join the Center for American Progress for the release of our new report, “A Roadmap for a Successful Transition to the Common Core in States and Districts.” The report will highlight states and districts that have some of the best Common Core implementation practices and provide specific recommendations for how to implement the new standards and assessments effectively.