Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Board of Education will decide next week whether to join 38 other states in adopting common standards for math and English language arts.
The Common Core State Standards outlines what students are expected to learn in those subjects in each grade. It's an initiative led by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers.
The standards have been controversial throughout the country. Some state board members say they fear it's the first step toward a nationalized education system.
Deputy Superintendent Tommy Bice says four public hearings across the state have been held on the issue, and comments received were ``overwhelmingly in support'' of the standards.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)