NASBE Continues Assistance to State Policymakers on Common Core

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Even as most states work hard to implement the Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts, much remains to be done in the way of aligned assessments, educator support, and continued evaluation of the standards' broader impact on other policies. The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) will continue to assist state boards as they deal with these and other issues linked to the Common Core under a two-year, $800,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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The education issues associated with standards implementation are many, and the work in individual states is increasingly being seen as models for new policies and practices nationwide. NASBE is in a unique position to put all the research, analysis, politics, and context together in ways policymakers can understand and use to make their best judgments.

"Adoption of the Common Core by state boards was relatively easy compared to the work being done now in states," said NASBE Executive Director Kristen Amundson. "Implementation of these more rigorous standards is truly the challenge of the next several years. It is critical that state boards be equipped to assist districts and school faculty as they prepare to teach curricula aligned to the new standards. We look forward to working with state board members and staff to help make this happen."

In addition to developing a wide range of resources for states during the grant life, NASBE will host four regional symposia at which state board members will have the opportunity to work directly with experts who can help them develop action plans tailored to the needs of each state. NASBE will also create a state-level policy database that will enable board members to search for other states that have worked on similar issues and connect with them on policy language and the best ways to move implementation forward.

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