Unlike many countries, the United States has not had national standards.  By 2014, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will be implemented in over 40 states.  SMARTER and PARCC are the two consortia that are designing assessments for the CCSS.  SMARTER has sample questions up on line and will use computer adaptive technology.  PARCC will have sample tasks available this summer.

In mid-June, New York State released NYS Sample Questions for Grades 3 - 8.  The Tri-State Collaborative (New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island) with help from Achieve is developing lessons based on the Common Core State Standards.

Common Core e_guide from CTB/McGraw-Hill  

Member States of SMARTER 

Forward or Backward? The Common Core Math Standards 

At the high school level, why not the ACT (or SAT) as a standard?  

Math Confidence ACT Scores June 2012 

How do we attract students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) as a college major, career choice and solid foundation? This summer, Robin will present "Engineering Your Future" to two groups of pre-engineering high school students. The National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics published Robin's article  Engineering Your Future with STEM that included Objectives and Outcomes from Electrical Engineering as well as quotes from astrophysicist  Neil deGrasse Tyson and business philosopher Jim Rohn. 

Answer to June's Brain Teaser: 4 daughters and 3 sons

June 2012 Brain Teaser Solution