State Efforts

Some states already have begun benchmarking to international standards with interesting results.

Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Utah
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Utah agreed to participate in an effort to establish pilot programs aimed at creating new, world-class approaches to public education. These pilots are funded by The New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce and based on the recommendations generated in the Commission’s report, Tough Choices or Tough Times. (1)

Each state’s approach to overhauling its education system to become more internationally competitive is still being refined, but initially, each state has announced its focus area.

• Massachusetts plans to create a “statewide master teacher contract” that would include new compensation and benefit packages. (2)
• New Hampshire will “begin developing a state board examination system designed to make sure students are ready for community college by the end of 10th grade without the need for remedial instruction. Students who pass these exams would be able to earn a two-year degree while completing their high school diploma at the same time.” (3) Students also would have the option of remaining in high school and preparing to enter four-year colleges that have high and rigorous admission standards.
• Utah is focusing on creating “high-performance schools and districts” to implement some of the commission’s recommendations. There also will be a focus on providing high school counselors training to help students make thoughtful decisions about college or work. (4)

Footnotes:

1. Linda Jacobson, “Three States to Pilot Education Overhaul,” Education Week, 30 October, 2008, 13, http://lnk.edweek.org/ecseclips/index.html?url=/ew/articles/2008/10/29/
   11workforce.h28.html&tkn=94MilaPc6AnYSEaGwmo8mxbijsxiPR2h.
   [Premium access to article provided by Ed Week.]
2. Massachusetts General Laws Title XII. Education, Chapter 69, 1D.
3. Jacobson, 13.
4. Jacobson, 13.