Common Core Standards

Common Core Standards Goes on Statewide Tour
OSPI to Seek Public Input at Five Informational Stops Around the State

OLYMPIA – October 4, 2010 – The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will make five stops statewide to share information with the public about the state’s possible adoption of the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics.

OSPI is also seeking public input at the forums and through an online survey because it is required to deliver a detailed report on the common core standards in January 2011 to the state Legislature. The report, as outlined in Section 601 of the Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6696, will include a comparison of common core and current state learning standards, an estimated timeline for implementation, the cost to the state and districts to implement them, and information about whether or not Washington should make additions to the common core English language arts and mathematics standards.

According to E2SSB 6696, formal adoption and implementation of the new standards may not occur until after the 2011 legislative session, which will provide an opportunity for legislative review.

Washington is one of 48 states, two territories and the District of Columbia that agreed to consider adopting common core standards in 2009. In July 2010, State Superintendent Randy Dorn provisionally adopted the common core standards. To date, about 30 states have formally adopted the standards, and more are expected to in the coming months.

In addition to the five statewide stops, the public is invited to watch the presentation online via Webinar on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Interested parties can register for the Oct. 28 Webinar by clicking here or visiting OSPI’s Common Core State Standards page at http://www.k12.wa.us/Corestandards/default.aspx. There, you will also find an archived version of OSPI’s Sept. 28 common core standards Webinar for viewing at any time.

The five public forums, which all begin at 6 p.m. at their respective locations, will include information on how the new common core K-12 standards for English language arts and mathematics were created and how they build toward college and career readiness. In addition, the forums will contain information about:

• The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) that was recently awarded a four-year $160 million grant to develop an assessment system for grades 3-8 and high school that’s aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
• How the public can provide input so OSPI can determine what the transition would mean for Washington schools and districts.
• The process that would lead to the successful implementation about the common core standards if the state formally adopts them. OSPI will seek input from those attending about the resources schools and districts will need if the common core standards are formally adopted.