A new set of educational standards is sweeping across the nation. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is a set of K-12 standards that aim to ensure that students are ready to enter college or the workforce upon graduation. These standards focus on English Language Arts and Mathematics in order to ensure that students have the skills necessary to succeed in all other subjects. The CSSS arose from a state-led effort to create a single set of standards that could be voluntarily adopted by states. At this time, forty-five states have adopted the standards.
The Missouri State Board of Education adopted the CSSS in 2010. The standards must be implemented in Missouri public schools by the 2014-2015 school year. The Missouri Deparment of Elementary and Secondary Education states that these standards are already aligned with current Missouri educational standards. One change students will notice is in the end-of-the-year standardized testing. Schools will be transitioning from MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) tests to new Smarter Balanced Assessments.
Springfield Public Schools has announced that it will begin incorporating these new education standards during the 2013-2014 school year.
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