National Standards of Education: 46 States & D.C.

Maria Gold's article in the Washington Post (6/1/09) discusses educational standards for students K-12. The idea is that when students who have achieved these standards get their high school diploma, they will be ready for college or the job market and will be "internationally competitive". The effort is led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief School Officers. All State governors except those from Texas, Alaska, Missouri, and South Carolina are part of the movement. This July, readiness standards for reading and mathematics will be "unveiled" for high school graduates. The program will eventually include goals for each grade level stating skills students must master to be "on track" for graduation. The effort will not specify what teachers are to teach or how teachers are to teach to help students master the skills.