ABSTRACT
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) initiative was developed to ensure consistent educational standards across schools, districts, and states throughout the nation. Previously each state had its own set of educational standards and the variation in standards could be quite vast. The CCSS initiative has been coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers, and they were released in June 2010. As of April 2012 the CCSS have been adopted by 45 states. While the standards were not created by the federal government, funding incentives to adopt the standards were offered through President Obama's “Race to the Top” education grant initiatives in 2010. The CCSS website presents the following as the mission of the standards:
The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy. (National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010)
