The NAEP has three levels of achievement: “advanced”, “proficient”, and “basic, which is the lowest score.” California students scored in the “basic” category in most subjects. But State education officials say the newly adopted Common Core teaching standards will help California close the performance gap in the coming years.
“It’s critical thinking. It’s problem solving. It’s teamwork. It’s good communication skills,” says Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
So I believe this transition, which is an enormous historical shift in the way we educate and the way we learn, is going to have great results.”
Torlakson says the old focus on rote memorization and multiple choice testing was unhelpful.