More COMMON CORE

Albany Catholic Schools Shift Away From Common Core.

The Saratogian (NY) (10/5, Grey) reports that on Friday the diocesan Catholic Schools Office in Albany, NY announced a policy shift away from Common Core-focused assessments and toward “a more student-emphasized approach to standardized testing.” Catholic Schools Superintendent Michael Pizzingrillo explained that because Common Core evaluations have “caused great strife for families and teachers,” the Catholic schools will employ testing only in grades three, five and seven, as “benchmarks of longitudinal student progress.” Pizzingrillo advanced the new system as a programmatic assessment that will be more applicable to the unique approach of the Catholic School system.

Louisiana BESE To Vote On Cutting Common Core Scores.

The New Orleans Advocate (10/5, Sentell) reports that next Tuesday Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) will vote on whether to “cut scores” such that Common Core evaluation grades in the state more closely mirror those used across the country. Critics of the measure say lowering expectations “would say something very sad about the direction of” Louisiana, while advocates argue for a “level playing field.” State Superintendent of Education John White expressed confidence on Monday the plan would be approved.