USA Today – Michael J. Petrilli and Robert Pondiscio
“Between 2010 and 2012, more than forty states adopted the Common Core standards in reading and math, setting dramatically higher expectations for students in our elementary and secondary schools. Now comes a critical milestone in this effort. In the coming weeks, parents in most states will receive for the first time their children’s scores on new tests aligned to the standards. The news is expected to be sobering, and may come as a shock for many. Parents shouldn’t shoot the messenger…Some tough questions of your school or school board might also be in order. Are its standards for grading too easy? What are they doing to help teachers understand and implement the new standards? Are they up to the task of getting your kids — and your neighbors — up to the new higher expectations?”(more)