An Interactive Map of Differing State Standards

Given the release of the National Governors Association's Common Core Standards last week, it's an interesting exercise to consider different states' standards for when kids learn different skills. An interactive map over at the Hechinger Report breaks down when elementary and middle school students learn three pretty basic pieces of information: How to use an adverb, how to tell time to the minute, and who the president is.

Here's an interesting piece of data to discuss at your next cocktail party: Whereas students in Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, New Mexico, and Virginia need to know that Barack Obama is our commander-in-chief by the end of kindergarten, a student in Maine need not know that tidbit until the 8th grade.

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A facile example, to say the least, but maybe a little bit of support for some basic common standards might be in order.