Common Core Standards Draft Released
New standards developed to help U.S. students compete internationally

OLYMPIA — September 21, 2009 - The first official public draft of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which outlines college and career-ready standards for math and English, was released today.

The initiative is being led by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). So far, 48 states – including Washington – and three territories have joined the initiative.

“I’m pleased to be part of the new standards team,” said Randy Dorn, state superintendent of public instruction. “A common benchmark of standards for all states will make our education system more efficient and cost-effective, and it will give our kids a better chance at competing in a global economy.”

The new standards articulate the concepts students should know when they graduate from high school. A 2008 report by the NGA and CCSSO stated that while standards-based education exists, it lacks comparison to other countries. “International benchmarking will help state policymakers identify the qualities and characteristics of education systems that best prepare students for success in the global marketplace….

“New economic realities mean it no longer matters how one U.S. state compares to another on a national test; what matters is how a state’s students compare to those in countries around the globe.”

Adoption of the standards will be a state-level decision.

Washington state completed a major revision of its math standards in 2008 and will assess those new standards this year for students in grades 3-8 and next year for high school students. The common standards created by the NGO and CCSSO will be examined thoroughly and transparently. Any changes to the state’s standards would not occur for at least two years, and then only after an ample opportunity for public review and comment.

Today’s release begins a 30-day period in which the public can provide feedback on the standards. The feedback, though, must be supported by research and evidence.

Draft standards for K-12 students are expected to be ready for public release in December. Both the K-12 and the college and career-ready standards are expected to be finalized in January 2010.