Governor Schweitzer and State Superintendent Juneau join other states to develop common education standards

HELENA — Governor Brian Schweitzer and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau joined the National Common Core State Standards Initiative, a state-led process to develop common English-language arts and mathematics standards recently. The Common Core State Standards Initiative will be jointly led by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Governor Schweitzer and Superintendent Juneau join their colleagues across the country in engaging in a state-led process to develop a national common core of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. These standards are expected to be research and evidence-based, internationally benchmarked to top performing countries, aligned with college and work expectations and include rigorous content and skills.

“Montana students need to be ready for the 21st Century. Our students are no longer competing with those in surrounding states but with students in countries across the world,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “All of Montana’s students need to graduate high school ready to succeed in college and work and Montana’s participation in this state-led effort is an important step.”

The goal of the Common Core State Standards Initiative is to have a common core of national standards that states can voluntarily adopt. States may choose to include additional standards beyond the common core.

“We look forward to working with NGA and CCSSO to build upon our existing state standards. Establishing common standards will enhance our ability to prepare all children for success in the global economy,” said Superintendent Juneau.

The NGA Center and CCSSO will coordinate the process to develop these standards and will create an expert validation committee to provide an independent review of the common core state standards, as well as the grade-by-grade standards. The college and career ready standards are expected to be completed this July. The grade-by-grade standards work is expected to be completed this December.

Montana is currently working on draft standards for English-language arts and mathematics. To view and provide comment please go to: http://www.opi.mt.gov/Math/index.html and http://www.opi.mt.gov/Accred/CArts.html