What Every Child Can Learn from Kentucky

As schools adopt the Common Core, nationwide standards, they are drawing lessons from an unlikely pioneer

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Mauricio Alejo for TIME

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Historically, the answer isn't encouraging. Some states may step back from the standards altogether, while others will likely do what they did under No Child Left Behind and select dumbed-down tests that do not require kids to think for themselves. A few states will stand firm, continuing to work on smarter tests and better teacher training. I suspect Kentucky may be one of them.

Earlier this year, a coalition of 26 states proposed new standards--for science this time. Like those for math and reading, these new targets allow teachers to go deeper on fewer topics and focus on applying knowledge to solve real-world problems. Already the standards on climate change and evolution have unleashed a backlash, which will likely grow.

So far, just six states have adopted the standards: California, Kansas, Maryland, Rhode Island, Vermont--and Kentucky.

TIME contributor Ripley is the author of a new book, The Smartest Kids in the World--and How They Got That Way, and an Emerson Senior Fellow

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