It’s a concept that has generated some controversy in education.
The concept is “common core standards.”
"I think there's a fear of prescribing a curriculum," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler. She said there is a difference between standards and curriculum. "Standards are expectations about what you know and what you are supposed to do. North Dakota has had those for decades. The way that you teach to reach that goal is your curriculum."
Baesler says that curriculum is left in the hands of the local schools.
"Which materials you want to use, and which resources, have been and will always be decisions made by local school districts and local teachers," said Baesler. "I feel very fortunate that North Dakota is such a local control state."
Baesler says the goal for the new standards is to raise the bar for students – and prepare them for college or work.
