North Carolina Adopts Common Core State Standards

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced at a panel discussion with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan that North Carolina’s State Board of Education has adopted the Common Core State Standards, released yesterday by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. With the adoption of these state-led education standards, North Carolina is in the first group of states to embrace clear and consistent goals for learning to prepare children for success in college and work.

“North Carolina has always been a leader in education reform and this is yet another example of how the leadership in this state remains committed to putting our children first,” said Gov. Bev Perdue.
 
North Carolina was one of the 48 states to participate in the state consortium led by governors and chief state school officers. Teachers, education advisors and other groups have provided valuable feedback to the groups working since fall 2009 to write the Common Core standards on behalf of the state consortium. With the release of the Common Core, it is up to each participating state to formally adopt the Core and to plan their state’s implementation.

These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have throughout their K-12 education so that they will graduate high school fully prepared for college and careers. The standards:
•         Are aligned with college and work expectations;
•         Are clear, understandable and consistent;
•         Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
•         Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
•         Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
•         Are evidence- and research-based.

"North Carolina is pleased to be one of the first states to agree to the Common Core," said State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison. "Our state has been a leader in the movement from the beginning because we believe that it makes sense to collaborate with other states that share our vision for clear and rigorous standards."

“This is the first time that states have led an effort to create a common set of learning standards for our students,” said State Superintendent June Atkinson. “North Carolina’s own essential standards are well aligned with the math and English Common Core, and we look forward to the benefits for our students. We are excited about the opportunities the Common Core offers us to share professional development and best practices with our partner states.”

Over the next two months, North Carolina’s State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction will receive public comment and create an operational roll-out plan for the fall of 2012. Comments are being received at commoncore@dpi.state.nc.us.

The full Common Core standards can be viewed at www.corestandards.org.

Office of Governor Bev Perdue - All Rights Reserved 2011