Colorado debates adopting national standards

The Colorado Board of Education today is facing what is being perceived as one of its most difficult votes in history, whether to adopt national Common Core Standards in an effort to better position the state to secure $175 million in federal education grant money. The standards are in language arts and math. 

Supporters say the move isn’t just about Race to the Top money, but about helping the nation compete on a global level. Critics say the move could set the state up for federal mandates that compromise local control over education. Federal education officials are offering 20 points out of a 500-point scoring system for the Race to the Top grant competition if states adopt the national standards.

Colorado last week was named one of 19 finalists in the second round of the competition. The deadline for states to adopt Common Core Standards as a condition for receiving the 20 points in the Race to the Top competition is today, August 2. It was unclear on Friday how the board was going to vote , with multiple board members still undecided. At least two members, however, say they are voting against the national standards. Read more about the debate in The Denver Daily News online.