Tools for Parents:
For parents, there are few things as important as the education their child receives. Every parent hopes, and wants to ensure, his or her child is in a good school with good teachers, given the opportunity to flourish and is prepared to succeed in college or in a well-paying job.
The sad reality is that low academic standards have failed generations of children. The movement to raise standards is a movement to improve education for kids. As many states soon transition to these higher standards, parents are increasingly, and rightfully, curious about what this means for their children.
How are the new standards different from the old standards? What is the difference between standards and curriculum? Will the annual tests my child takes in school change?
We have the answers to all of those questions and more. Here is important information for parents interested in learning more about how the Common Core State Standards will affect their child:
- Explaining the English and Math Standards: Learn how the new standards raise academic expectations for students, what they include and what exactly this means in the classroom for students and teachers.
- Frequently Asked Questions: From how new standards will impact student testing to the differences between curriculum and standards, take a moment to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Common Core initiative.
- Parental Choice and Common Core State Standards: The movement to raise standards in public schools is not at odds with – and certainly does not harm – the parental choice movement. If you are a home school family, or your child attends a private, faith-based or charter school, learn more now.
- Debunking Myths: Get the Facts About Higher Standards: Misinformation about higher standards is understandingly confusing parents and members of the public. If you have heard conflicting information about this initiative, take a moment to get the facts and decide for yourself.
- Protecting Student Privacy: Recently, higher academic standards have been blamed for everything from collecting data on students for corporate use to retinal scans done on children. While these are serious and important concerns, they aren’t tied to the standards. But, it’s important to get the facts and states should take increased measures to protect students, especially given recent examples of abusive federal use of private personal information.