OSPI in Shoreline for public input on new school standards in language and math

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will make five stops statewide to share information with the public about the state’s possible adoption of the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics.

The Common Core Standards Public Forum in Shoreline will be on Monday, October 25, from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Shoreline Conference Center, Mount Rainier Room. This is the old band room at the north end of the center, where the City Council used to meet.   

An online survey is also available for public input.

OSPI will deliver a detailed report on the common core standards in January 2011 to the state Legislature. The report will include a comparison of common core and current state learning standards, an estimated time line for implementation, the cost to the state and districts to implement them, and information about whether or not Washington should make additions to the common core English language arts and mathematics standards.

The legislature will review the new standards during the 2011 legislative session. If adopted by the legislature, implementation will not occur until after the end of session.

Washington is one of 48 states, two territories and the District of Columbia that agreed to consider adopting common core standards in 2009. In July 2010, State Superintendent Randy Dorn provisionally adopted the common core standards. To date, about 30 states have formally adopted the standards, and more are expected to in the coming months.

The public forum will include information on how the new common core K-12 standards for English language arts and mathematics were created and how they build toward college and career readiness. In addition, the forum will contain information about:

• The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) that was recently awarded a four-year $160 million grant to develop an assessment system for grades 3-8 and high school that is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. 
• How the public can provide input so OSPI can determine what the transition would mean for Washington schools and districts. 
• The process that would lead to the successful implementation about the common core standards if the state formally adopts them. OSPI will seek input from those attending about the resources schools and districts will need if the common core standards are formally adopted.

About OSPI

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 education in Washington state. Led by State School Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.