Adopting National Standards

CDE staff members and state wide educators have been hard at work for almost two years creating, editing and adopting a new set of Colorado Standards, standards that are "fewer, higher & clearer" than those adopted under No Child Left Behind more than 10 years ago.  They were formally and unanimously adopted in May 2010, along with a Resolution acknowledging our committment to our own Colorado Standards.  We are now asked, as part of our submission for Race To The Top funding, to adopt National Standards.  Let me be clear, these are good standards.  At least as good as Colorado's, in some cases even better.  But we can incorporate those changes into our own standards.  The real question:   What are the downsides to this adoption?  Is the money that we would gain worth the exchange?  This money would help us develop a 21st century set of assessments to match the standards, work that will be delayed without the necessary funds.  The question?    Do we really want to put our feet upon this slippery slope?  While there is agreement upon the standards at this time, what if changes are required?  When future standards, like history and health, are adopted will it be "deemed" that we have accepted those also?   The National Standards have more curricular elements, will this lead to  loss of Colorado's greatly valued local control?  Can we depend upon the promises of the government?  Actions speak louder than words. When  Congress slashed the funds of Washington, D.C.'s highly valued voucher program, neither the president nor the Education Commissioner raised a hand to protect it. That alone is enough to stay my hand.