CDE, Torlakson lead effort to forge ahead on common core despite challenges
By Tom Chorneau
Sunday, March 17, 2013
There’s no shortage of skeptics when it comes to the plan to begin testing students in the new common core curriculum standards beginning in the spring of 2015.
After more than five years trapped inside the deep recession, the Legislature has been unable to set aside additional funds to buy the new textbooks, train teachers or make technological upgrades needed for a successful transition.
But there’s a growing number of state officials – led by schools chief Tom Torlakson – who are undeterred by such challenges and would have California schools forge ahead with the landmark shift in curriculum even though some districts might not be ready.
“The kids that were in kindergarten when common core was adopted are now in the third grade and with our best effort – they won’t be taking the new assessment aligned to the common core until they are in the fifth grade,” said Paul Hefner, communications director for Torlakson. “We really can’t wait any longer.”
The standards, developed at the prodding of the Obama administration by a coalition of governors and state school chiefs, provide for the first time national curriculum goals aimed at better preparing students for the global economic marketplace.
The California State Board of Education adopted the new standards in math and English language arts in the summer