The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers released a set of state-led Common Core State Standards in Atlanta today. Acting Commissioner Angela Faherty issued the following statement:
Maine already has some of the most rigorous educational standards in the country, and was one of the first states in 1997 to adopt state standards. Two years ago, we joined with three other New England states to participate in common, rigorous standards. Because of our experience and our intent not to lower our standards in any way, our staff and many Maine teachers and other educators have been actively engaged in the development of the Common Core State Standards. I want to thank the dozens of Maine teachers, curriculum leaders and others who participated in reviewing the standards, either at our request or on their own. We are proud to have been part of this work developing clear and rigorous expectations for students.
These are not an overhaul of Maine’s already rigorous standards. Schools and teachers will have two years after adoption before testing reflects the new standards, so they will have time to adapt their classroom strategies.
Maine, along with the rest of the nation, will benefit from the new standards, with fewer concepts, stressing deeper learning, and with clearer and higher expectations.
For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education website.