Iowa Mandates 'Core Curriculum' for Private Schools

Legislators in Iowa, a state long known for devotion to local control of schools, have approved a new statewide curriculum mandate that has some private school advocates alarmed.

Under the measure, not only all of Iowa’s public school districts, but also its state-accredited nonpublic schools, would have to adhere to the Iowa Core Curriculum , which spells out key skills and concepts all students should master. Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, was expected to sign the measure...