On July 2, 2010, Pennsylvania became the 18th state to adopt the national Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics set forth by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Never before has such a comprehensive and coordinated effort been initiated in the United States. To date, forty-five states, four US territories, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have approved the Common Core standards as an essential tactic necessary to help students learn at more sophisticated levels. The NGA Center and CCSSO stand united in their proclamation that “These standards are not intended to be new names for old ways of doing business. They are a call to take the next step. It is time for states to work together to build on lessons learned from two decades of standards based reforms. It is time to recognize that standards are not just promises to our children, but promises we intend to keep.” A driving force behind the development of the Common Core came from recognition of the disparity that exists in our nation with regard to students’ educational experiences; with each state using its own standards, assessments, and criteria for demonstrating proficiency, it is easy to imagine the variability that exists. One of the motivating factors behind Pennsylvania’s decision to adopt these standards was the belief that by meeting high, consistent standards, students in Pennsylvania will leave high school better prepared for the next phase of life, whether that is continuing their education or moving directly into the workforce.