Bentonville Public Schools

Common Core State Standards Initiative

Common Core in Arkansas

Arkansas has joined 43 other states to participate in the Common Core State Standards Initiative, an effort to improve college and career readiness across the nation. The Arkansas Board of Education voted in July 2010 to adopt the Common Core, which is a set of shared learning expectations from state to state in English, Language Arts and Mathematics. The move began this school year in Arkansas in grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade.

"To be competitive in the 21st century, Arkansas students must have the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in college and in today's knowledge-based economy. All Arkansas students deserve an education that prepares them for college and careers. Access to college and career ready education shouldn't be determined by a student's ZIP code. That's where Common Core comes in." -- Arkansas Education Commissioner, Dr. Tom K. Kimbrell

To learn more about Common Core, click here.

To see a new video about Common Core with Gov. Mike Beebe, Dr. Kimbrell and other, click here.

For the national Common Core State Standards Initiative Web site, click here.

For links to other Common Core material and contact for ADE personnel on this topic, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Common Core Questions Related to Assessment:

Dr. Gayle Potter, Associate Director
Arkansas Department of Education
Student Assessment
Four Capitol Mall, Room 106-A
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-4558

Common Core Questions Related to Curriculum and Instruction:

Dr. Tracy Tucker, Director
Arkansas Department of Education
Curriculum and Instruction
Four Capitol Mall, Room 301-B
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-1991

Common Core Questions Related to Technology:

Jim Boardman, Assistant Commissioner
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Research and Technology
8221 Ranch Blvd.
Little Rock, AR 72223
Phone: 501-371-5005

All Other Common Core Questions:

Dr. Laura Bednar, Assistant Commissioner
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services
Four Capitol Mall, Room 306-B
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-4800