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Lawmakers Wary of 'Race to Top'-Standards Link

Republican leaders on the House Education and Labor Committee are eyeing part of the final regulations for the economic-stimulus program’s Race to the Top Fund that they say could lead to a de facto national curriculum—and even a national test.

In competing for $4 billion in Race to the Top grants—available under the federal stimulus law to reward states for making progress in boosting student achievement—states are encourged to take part in an effort to develop common academic standards.

Right now, the only effort that fits that description is the Common Core State Standards Initiative, spearheaded by the Council of Chief State School Officers and...