Pity the poor common-standards addict. Last summer was chock-full of news as waves of states adopted the standards. That wave subsided to a trickle by fall, and there just hasn’t been a lot of action since. (Well, there’s just been different kinds of action. But I digress.)
Here is one tidbit I can offer you: Washington state, which adopted the common standards provisionally last July, has finalized its adoption. It’s now official.
According to a release from the state department of public instruction, schools Superintendent Randy Dorn formally adopted the standards today.
Unlike most states, where standards adoption is the sole province of the state board of education, Washington’s decision is up to the state superintendent. The state legislature plays a role, too, but it’s a role that depends on that body taking action. Because of a 2010 law, Dorn was empowered to finalize the adoption and move ahead with implementation unless state lawmakers objected. Since that didn’t happen, Dorn was able to proceed. (This approach to standards adoption came about because of a law that aimed to better position Washington state for a Race to the Top grant. See Section 601 of Senate Bill 6696.)
Since we’ve counted provisional adoptions in our total tally, this news doesn’t change our total. But here, again, is our little map for a refresher of who’s adopted and who hasn’t.
