As children all over upstate New York head back to school this week, the curriculum for some of them will be a little different this year.
For the first time in New York state, students in third through eighth grades will be taught English/language arts and math based on National Common Core Learning Standards.
Ed Kremer, of the New York State School Boards Association, says this will mean a difference in the way the two subjects are taught.
"Right now many will say our curriculum is an inch deep and a mile wide. This is an attempt to make our program more focused and deeper and have our kids come out more proficient and college and career ready," he said.
Kremer says in English, the emphasis will be on literacy, writing and vocabulary.
Eventually, all grades will be taught based on the core standards. Nationwide, 46 states and the District of Columbia are using them.