National Standards

Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, has begun developing national standards and is offering cash incentives for states who are involved. On November 21st, the Delegate Assembly of the New Jersey School Boards Association approved the notion of "national standards," but did not agree to proceed, yet.

The Federal Government does not have the ability to mandate national standards, but many argue that it will provide consistency and combat issues of student transience. "What you've seen over the past couple years is a growing recognition from political leaders, educators, unions, nonprofits -- literally every sector -- coming to realize that 50 states doing their own thing doesn't make sense," stated Secretary Duncan in a U.S. News article entitled Education Secretary Arne Duncan hopes cash incentives will push reading, math standards.

The US's Poor performance on international tests, such as TIMSS and PISA, has been subject of constant ridicule from researchers. Will National Standards be a step forward for US schools? What are your thoughts?

(More information on the Common Core State Standards Initiative can be found at http://www.corestandards.org/)