Federal Carrot-and-Stick Approach Behind National Standards

Lindsey Burke / August 27, 2010

Despite the Obama Administration’s assertion that the push for states to adopt national education standards and tests is completely voluntary, concerns have been raised from the beginning about the federal “carrot and stick” approach driving their adoption.

A key qualification for a Race to the Top grant was moving toward adoption of “common” standards and tests, and the Department of Education has indicated that receipt of federal Title I money—the largest federal obligation to public schools—could be contingent upon a state’s adoption of the standards. Catherine Gewertz at Education Week outlines some of those concerns: (more…)