K-12 Curriculum Development

Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
On Saturday, March 13, the Obama administration released its blueprint for revising the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which would ask states to adopt college- and career-ready standards and reward schools for producing dramatic gains in student achievement. The proposal challenges the nation to embrace educational standards that would put America on a path to global leadership.  Educators may read the Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the ESEA at Blueprint for Reform.

Common Core State Standards Initiative
As part of theCommon Core State Standards Initiative, the draft K-12 standards are now available for public comment. These draft standards, developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, seek to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.  The standards are open for public comment until Friday, April 2.  Click here to take the online survey.

Common Core State Standards Initiative FAQs

16 Finalists Announced in Phase 1 of Race to the Top Competition
States competing for Race to the Top funds were asked to document past education reform successes, as well as outline plans to: extend reforms using college and career-ready standards and assessments; build a workforce of highly effective educators; create educational data systems to support student achievement; and turn around their lowest-performing schools.  To learn more about Race to the Top, the sixteen finalists and how they were selected, and the timeline for distributing funds to states visit Race to the Top - Next Steps.

Additional Resources for Educators:

Ten Steps to Equity in Education - Policy Brief
Organisation For Economic Co-Operation and Development

National Education Standards: Getting Beneath the Surface (Free Online)
Education Testing Service (ETS) - 2009
By Paul E. Barton

A Test For Our Nation
The Huffington Post - Nov. 21, 2009
By Linda Darling-Hammond

Benchmarking for Success:
Ensuring U.S. Students Receive a World-Class Education 
(December 2008)

Comments regarding one of more of these documents are welcome.  The best way to play a role in education reform is to become part of the process.  While comments posted on this page will not help with education reform, K-12 Curriculum Development provides a forum for educators to share ideas, resources, and thoughts on issues which impact K-12 education.

Please read the documents listed in this article and make certain to take time to leave your feedback regarding the Common Core State Standards Initiative and the Reauthorization of ESEA.  Education matters and your voice matters as we seek to support all students and their right to a free and appropriate education.