SPEAK Act Introduced in Congress

Both Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) have introduced H. R. 2790, the Standards to Provide Educational Achievement for Kids (SPEAK) Act. The Act is introduced at a time when momentum is building for the creation for national common core subject standards. Just recently, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers announced that forty six states have joined their Common Core State Standards Initiative.

What the SPEAK Act would do is have the National Assessment Governing Board (which runs National Assessment of Educational Progress) establish voluntary standards for science and math for grades K-12. It would also create an American Standards Incentive Fund to assist states in funding the adoption of the standards.

In expressing his advocacy for the SPEAK ACT, Congressman Ehlers stated:

“The introduction of the SPEAK Act confirms my commitment to preparing our students for jobs in today’s, and tomorrow’s economy, and recognizes the need to provide resources and incentives to states to adopt top-notch math and science standards.”

In addition, Senator Dodd said:

“Core standards in math and science would provide an important step in ensuring that all American students are given the same opportunity to learn no matter where they reside. I commend the important work of the National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers and look forward to passing the SPEAK Act to provide states with the incentives and resources needed to implement voluntary academic standards.”

With the introduction of the SPEAK Act for the second time (it was previously introduced in the last Congress) and the standards from the National Governors Association consortium expected to be released by December 2009, it is clear that the need for some sort of common academic standards for the states is being recognized.