Schools in Md., D.C. to adopt national academic standards, revise tests and teacher training

Nick Anderson:

D.C. and Maryland school officials have agreed to national academic standards and have begun to lay the groundwork for new tests and teacher training. But it will take at least a few years before such measures generate notable change in the classroom.

The movement to adopt common standards swept 40 states and the District in 2010, a watershed for public education expected to ripple through many aspects of teaching and learning. The standards, spelling out what should be learned in English and math every year from kindergarten through high school, are meant to replace what has been a jumble of benchmarks that vary from state to state in content and depth.

The Center on Education Policy reported last week that many states plan to revise teacher training within the next two years. But in most cases, key measures will not be rolled out until 2013 or later.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at January 14, 2011 1:50 AM
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