In June 2010, the Common Core State Standards Initiative released K-12 academic standards  in English language arts (ELA) and math -- an effort that grew out of a state-led work to align what students across the nation are learning.

As states begin to adopt these standards, questions on the clarity and rigor of the Common Core Standards have been raised. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute's report, The State of State Standards and the Common Core in 2010, answers this question and provides a state-by-state analysis of their standards compared to the Common Core Standards.