Those of us who have witnessed multiple standards initiatives in the United States might find more than one reason to be skeptical about the sustainability of the Common Core State Standards. Will the states and the nation have the will to fund the design and use of assessments that truly measure students' attainment of the standards?  Will schools have access to the resources needed to support changes in instructional practices or curriculum so that they are truly steeped in and able to assess these Standards?  Today's keys to success may not be found in legislation or even the philosophy and language of the standards themselves, but in the resilience, talent, dedication and innovation of those working most closely with students (whose improved learning is once again at the heart of a change initiative). Could a focus on teacher learning allow us to uncover and leverage the opportunities that exist inside each of the challenges that we recognize?

----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Using the Common Core to Test What Matters

by Giselle O. Martin-Kniep

What do we most value in student learning? What should we teach? What should we assess? These are three simple but profound questions that can help us take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead. read more 

-----------------------------------