Statement from the Governor: Regarding Common Core State Standard Initiative

Statement

Governor Manchin, Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), today released the following statement after learning that the NGA Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released the first official public draft of the K-12 standards as part of the Common Core State Standard Initiative:

"I support these Common Core State Standards because they provide clear, consistent guidelines for children across our nation. It is time that we ensure all students -- no matter where they live -- are learning the essential skills they need to succeed and that they are reaching the appropriate benchmarks for their grade. I am pleased to see this major state-led effort come into fruition.

"These education standards are important, so I encourage West Virginians to offer their feedback and suggestions, by going online at www.corestandards.org. If we want our children and grandchildren to compete globally then as states we must set standards that ensure they acquire 21st century skill sets. I believe adopting common education standards creates a solid foundation, helping to ensure that every student across our nation gets a quality education."

The entire NGA news release follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Jodi Omear (NGA), 202-624-5346 or Kara Schlosser (CCSSO), 202-336-7034

DRAFT K-12 COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT
NGA Center, CCSSO Release First Official Public Draft

WASHINGTON--The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today released the first official public draft of the K-12 standards as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, a process being led by governors and chief state school officers in 51 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. These draft standards, developed together with teachers, school administrators and experts, seek to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

The NGA Center and CCSSO have received feedback from national organizations representing, but not limited to teachers, postsecondary education (including community colleges), civil rights groups, English language learners, and students with disabilities The NGA Center and CCSSO encourage those interested in the standards to provide further feedback by Friday, April 2, 2010, at www.corestandards.org.

"We are pleased to release the K-12 standards today and to begin reviewing comments from the public," said Dane Linn, director of the NGA Center's Education Division. "These standards build upon the goals articulated in the college- and career-readiness standards released last year and will ensure our students are prepared to compete and succeed in a global economy. We look forward to working with educators, leaders and state board members in the states as they consider adopting these standards that will guide their educational programs."

"The feedback and comments states and our additional stakeholders have provided us are solidifying these standards into the better standards our students need," stated Gene Wilhoit, executive director of CCSSO. "We will continue to work diligently and tirelessly to ensure these standards are where they need to be, and today we are asking the public to help us do just that."

These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. The standards are:

* Aligned with college and work expectations;
* Clear, understandable and consistent;
* Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
* Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
* Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
* Evidence- and research-based.

The standards are expected to be finalized in early Spring. For more information, visit www.corestandards.org.

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