Connecticut's educational standards

Back in November an opinion piece appeared asking "Is college-and-career-ready" an adequate standard, as measured by Connecticut's constitution?" The piece makes a good argument for NO. However the part of the article that interested me most is how Connecticut's standards have historically been developed...

From their inception, the drafting and adoption of Connecticut academic standards was an inclusive, public process. The State Department of Education invited teachers from across the state to collectively draft standards in their areas of expertise. SDE would then solicit public comment from all sectors, including parents, teachers, school administrators, superintendents and school boards. There could be as many as 50 iterations, and the process could take as long as three years.

Since this process was directed by a state agency, it was subject to open meeting and Freedom of Information laws. The product was an educational framework that was created by Connecticut educators with input from everyone connected to our public schools.

The Common Core State Standards, by contrast, were developed behind closed doors by two private, non-governmental organizations: the National Governor's Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. There was no public comment. The organizations even refused to release the drafters' names until there was public outcry. The entire development process remains shrouded in secrecy. NGA and CCSSO are not subject to any sunshine laws that governmental bodies must obey.

When the standards finally reached Connecticut in 2010, they were presented as a fait accompli to state officials, who were given two months to adopt them -- under threat of being disqualified from federal Race to the Top money if they failed to do so. Rather than question the inadequacy of these standards as measured against Connecticut's constitutional requirements, the State Board of Education, here in "the Constitution State," acquiesced to federal pressure and adopted these substandard standards...

The Common Core State Standards were developed in a rushed and undemocratic process, far from Connecticut's students, parents, educators, and officials.