Panel to Spur International Benchmarks

Public-, Private-sector Leaders Push State Academic Yardsticks

A new advisory group packed with high-powered technology executives, governors, education policymakers, and think tank researchers is aiming to help jump-start the movement by states to measure their academic standards against those of other countries.

The 22-member group is on a fast track to produce a report in November that will make the case to policymakers for international benchmarking, and to offer steps for carrying out such an initiative.

The group is a joint effort by the National Governors Association, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and Achieve Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Washington that promotes higher academic standards and better preparation of students for college...