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Friday, January 3, 2014

North Carolina Standardized Testing in Question Due to Common Core Backlash | Truth in American Education

North Carolina Standardized Testing in Question Due to Common Core Backlash | Truth in American Education:

North Carolina Standardized Testing in Question Due to Common Core Backlash

nc-state-flagThe Raleigh News & Observer published a story yesterday entitled “Common Core backlash casts shadow on future testing in NC.”  Sounds dramatic doesn’t it?
Basically the North Carolina Legislature threw a monkey wrench in the North Carolina State Board of Education’s plans by not funding the Smarter Balanced Assessments.  Those pesky legislators!
North Carolina has been part of a group of states guiding the creation of a national test called SMARTER Balanced, which is tied to Common Core standards for reading and math. The thought was that students statewide would begin taking the national exams next year.
The Common Core State Standards establish a clear and consistent map for what students should learn from kindergarten through high school to prepare them better for college and careers. North Carolina is one of 45 states to adopt the standards.
But a Common Core backlash, driven by critics who question the state’s decision to hand over control of its education standards to national groups, has complicated the decision on