California Doles Funds for Common Core Upgrades

By Vanessa Castañeda/Patch

Schools in California received the second half of a grant from the state on Tuesday to upgrade the tools they have to implement the Common Core State Standards, announced Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Schools.  

The $1.25 billion dollar grant was distributed in two halves to schools throughout the state, the second of which was distributed today. It amounts to about $200 per student.

“California took a major step toward college and career readiness for all our students when we adopted the Common Core back in 2010,” Torlakson said.

“The state made a significant down payment on that commitment with this first block grant—but we must do more. I will continue working with my colleagues in the Capitol to support our schools as they support our kids,” he said.

California's school districts have been slow to adopt the new education curriculum standards, citing a lack of technology infrastructure and resources. Torlakson has worked to overcome the state’s financial obstacles, lobbying for changes that evolve the public school system into a place where children can obtain education necessary to succeed in an increasingly global society. The new educational standards will streamline the learning objectives for school districts throughout the country. 45 of the 50 states in the United States of America have adopted the standards.  

To see how much your local education agency received from the state to support this endeavor, take a look at the infographic.