In a recent interview with The Associated Press, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said he believes that schools' transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) might be "a little bumpy or choppy." At the same time, he still thinks the education initiative is a step in the right direction.
According to Duncan, the implementation of the CCSS will lead to a greater emphasis on developing students’ critical thinking skills as they devote more time to fewer topics. Most states will have the Standards in place by the 2013-2014 academic year. However, North Carolina is among the states that will fully implement the Common Core this fall.
While some people have criticized the Common Core implementation process for not having a pilot, the news outlet also highlighted some of the reasons why the Standards’ proponents are behind them. For instance, it is believed that the CCSS will make it easier for students to transition to a school in another state, while others see benefits in how well they will prepare students for college and the workforce.
Increasing students’ level of college readiness is among the CCSS’ primary goals, in addition to the desire to prepare pupils for the expectations they will encounter in the workforce, according to the Common Core’s website.
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