Florida adopts national education standards
Florida joins Common Core initiative for education standards.
Florida this morning adopted the national English and math standards, officially joining the "Common Core" initiative to boost academic standards.
The State Board of Education this morning adopted national English and math standards, officially joining the "Common Core" initiative in which it has been a leader.
These standards detail what students should learn in the two key subjects, kindergarten through 12th grade.
The board, during a telephone meeting, adopted them without discussion.
"We've been a leader state in helping to develop the Common Core," said Education Commissioner Eric Smith. "They come with my full recommendation."
The Common Core effort, led by the nation's governors and pushed by the Obama administration, aims to boost academic standards nationwide. Its goal is to make sure students across the country meet "robust" standards that will help them "compete successfully in the global economy."
Though Florida, according to a study released last week, already has strong math and English/language arts standards, Smith said the national standards will help push the state to a new educational level.
Florida is the 30th adopter of the national standards, according to Education Week, a nationwide education newspaper that is keeping tabs on the initiative.
In some places, the Common Core has been controversial. Massachusetts, for example, adopted them last week but not before it heard from vocal opponents who argued the state – a national academic leader – was weakening its own standards by joining the national effort.
The Obama administration has encouraged the Common Core by making the new standards a key part of its Race to the Top grant program. States earn points in the Race to the Top application, if they adopt the common standards.
Florida is among the 36 states vying for a second-round Race to the Top grant after losing out in the first round. The U.S. Department of Education is expected to announce round-two finalists this afternoon.
Leslie Postal can be reached at lpostal@orlandosentinel.com or 407-4205273.
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