The Common Core is the latest chic accessory for states to adopt. As of today, 29 states and counting have adopted. But look back four years, and national education standards weren't even a twinkle in Arne Duncan's eye. According to a Thomas B. Fordham report from August 2006, national standards were facing two large obstacles.
The first is political: a winning coalition must be assembled, probably by a presidential contender?no small challenge, considering that the failed attempts of the 1990s to create national standards and tests left a bad taste in many politicians' mouths. The second obstacle is substantive: until policymakers can envision what a system of national standards and tests might look like, how it would work, and how its various logistical challenges might be addressed, this idea will remain just that.
-To Dream the Impossible Dream: Four Approaches to National Standards and Tests for America's School
Now fast forward to today's National Review article by Mike and Checker, which shows just how far we've come with national education standards.
?Saul Spady, Fordham intern