Common Core News

California “On The Verge Of Adopting” Common Core-Based Literacy Materials. Education Week (10/7, Heitin) reports California “is on the verge of adopting new K-8 English/language arts instructional materials for the first time since” adopting Common Core State Standards, adding “nearly all the textbooks that were submitted for review are likely to be approved.” However, the article suggests California’s decision is likely to “make less of a splash nationally” because of the wide numbers of states that have since adopted the standards. Definition Of Proficiency Under Common Core Varies By State. The New York Times (10/7, Rich, Subscription Publication) reports that definitions of what test scores constitute proficiency under the Common Core requirements vary from state to state despite the fact that the standards were intended to remedy “that kind of inconsistency in educational standards.” As the results of the first Common Core tests have been released, “education officials again seem to be subtly broadening definitions of success.”