Common-Assessment Consortia Expand Plans

Extra Federal Funds Will Go Toward Curricula, Teacher Training

Two groups of states that are designing assessments for the new set of common academic standards have expanded their plans to provide instructional materials and professional development to help teachers make the transition to the new learning goals.

The common-assessment consortia, which include all but five states, won $330 million in Race to the Top money last September to design new tests for the common standards . The U.S. Department of Education later awarded an additional $15.8 million to each consortium, aimed at helping states shift from their current standards and tests to the new ones.

The two groups’ plans, finalized in January, show that they intend to wade more deeply into providing curriculum resources and instructional materials to teachers than they proposed in their original grant applications. They also plan to use the funds for professional development on the new standards and test and to help states collaborate on making the policy changes needed...