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This month, the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released a set of English-language arts and mathematics education standards, the Common Core State Standards. The K-12 standards establish clear and consistent goals for learning that are meant to prepare America’s children for success in college and work.

As reported by NGA/CCSSO, the final standards were developed collaboratively with experts, states, teachers, school administrators and parents. The standards were also informed by nearly 10,000 public comments; and, by standards in other top performing countries so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy.

Prior to the final release, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) was invited to collaborate with the NGA/CCSSO and several disability organizations to develop the introduction to the standards regarding students with disabilities. The introduction clarifies for states that the standards fully apply to students receiving special education services and says in part:

Students with disabilities ― students eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ― must be challenged to excel within the general curriculum and be prepared for success in their post-school lives, including college and/or careers. These common standards provide an historic opportunity to improve access to rigorous academic content standards for students with disabilities…. Promoting a culture of high expectations for all students is a fundamental goal of the Common Core State Standards.

The introduction goes on to explain that in order to meet the standards and fully demonstrate their knowledge, students with disabilities should be provided the services and supports identified by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and be held to the same high expectations as other students.

NCLD's executive director, James H. Wendorf, was also quoted by the NGA/CCSSO in their media outreach by stating:

The National Center for Learning Disabilities is pleased to support the Common Core Standards. We applaud and appreciate the work of the NGA and CCSSO and the expectation that all students can achieve high standards and become college and/or career ready. We are prepared to support families, teachers, schools and states as they strive to help all students succeed.

What do you think about your state embracing a set of common reading and math standards for all of America’s students?

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Additional Resources

• Educating Our Way to a Better Economy.

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