State Board Seeks to Increase Rigor of Core Curriculum

State Board Seeks to Increase
Rigor of Core Curriculum

The state Board of Education at its Dec. 6 meeting considered revisions that would increase the rigor of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

Some board members raised concerns about the impact on students, particularly about making Algebra II a graduation requirement. Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy said the proposed graduation requirements reflected concerns from the private business community and universities. The resolution will go through the public testimony process before the State Board makes a decision.

The State Board also voted to adopt changes to licensure regulations that would require some new teachers to obtain 20 extra hours of training during their first year of teaching.

Teachers currently must take 100 hours of professional development every five years, but there is no requirement for a specific number of hours a year. Under the new system, hours will be divided into five-year blocks, and teachers will be required to complete a prorated share of the 100 hours of professional development if they are entering the profession in the fifth year of a five-year cycle. State Board President Ronald K. Butcher was concerned the requirement would be a hardship for first year teachers, and he noted the state does not control the content of districts’ training.