Illinois Districts Bracing For Harder Tests.

The Chicago Tribune (2/25) reports, "The number of Libertyville and Lake Forest grade school students who fail standardized state tests will likely spike this year as a result of more stringent passing requirements and tougher exam questions, but district officials in both areas say they've prepared for the changes." The piece notes that there are new cut scores for state reading and math tests, adding that the "tougher requirements come as Illinois transitions to the Common Core, a set of comprehensive learning standards that have been introduced in 44 other states."

The Chicago Tribune (2/25, Ruzich) also reports that "district officials in Westmont, Woodridge, Willowbrook and Darien are preparing for the new Illinois Standards Achievement Test, which will include stringent passing thresholds and some tougher questions." Nevertheless, Cathy Fisher, director of teaching and learning for Maercker School District 60, "said she expects many students to still do well because the district had already implemented new common-core standards."

Minnesota Educators Preparing For Common Core English Tests.

The St. Paul Pioneer-Press (2/26, Koumpilova) reports on the measures that Minnesota teachers are taking to prepare students for "a tougher reading test this spring. The exam will reflect new literacy standards the state adopted as part of the national Common Core initiative to sync up expectations across state lines." The piece explains what the more difficult tests will include, and notes that though Minnesota signed on to the Common Core standards in 2010, "it opted out of the math standards that officials said fell short of the state's expectations."