California's Standards Get All "A's"

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today commented on the findings of a new national report that ranks California as the one of the top three states in the nation for the quality of academic standards. The Fordham Foundation conducted a comprehensive review of all states' academic standards and gave California an "A" for its English, mathematics, science, U.S. history, and world history science standards.

"California's rigorous academic standards are the bedrock of our education reform movement," O'Connell said. "We have a well thought out and clear blueprint for what every child should learn and be able to do in each grade. I am pleased that our state has been recognized by the Fordham Foundation for the quality of our standards. While we still have a long way to go before all students are meeting their full potential, fidelity to these standards in concert with quality teacher training programs and school accountability will help us better prepare all students for success in the competitive global economy of the 21st century."

For more information on the Fordham report, please see: The State of the State of Standards [http://www.edexcellence.net/doc/StateofStateStandards2006.pdf] (Outside Source; PDF; 811KB; 121pp.).