Nation's Schools Preparing To Implement Common Core

In a report focused on the network's "Education Nation" summit, NBC Nightly News (9/24, story 4, 3:10, Williams) reported that the nation's governors adopted the Common Core Standards because of low US test scores, adding that the "new, tougher more demanding standard of learning is generating a lot of buzz at the summit, as schools across the country are gearing up to teach a new way." The piece notes that Kentucky officials have enthusiastically adopted the standards because of low test scores, and explains how it standardizes standards , though not curriculum. The piece details the "critical thinking" focus of the standards, and notes that though teachers "have a lot to learn" in order to implement the standards, many are nonetheless enthusiastic. "The architects of Common Core acknowledge there could be a rocky transition period. Some kids who excelled previously could take years before they measure up to the new benchmarks of learning and thinking."