Leaders of an effort to establish common academic standards in math and language arts have held tentative discussions with advocates for science and social studies groups about expanding that work into those subjects.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative is being led by two Washington-based organizations, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. So far, the project has produced draft standards for college and career readiness in math and language arts, with K-12 standards expected to follow. Forty-eight states are participating.
But NGA and CCSSO officials also have talked in general terms with organizers of a separate effort to develop science standards, called Science Anchors. That project is being led by the National Science Teachers Association, in cooperation with three Washington-based organizations: Achieve; the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and the National Research Council. The NSTA’s executive director, Francis Eberle, and Dane Linn of the NGA both said in recent interviews that science discussions were very preliminary.
Mr. Linn said Common Core officials have also met with advocates for social studies to discuss standards. He cautioned that they want to demonstrate success in math and language arts before moving into other subjects.
