Poway School District Gets Millions to Implement New Common Core Standards

Schools in San Diego County received a combined $50.4 million from the state today to implement the new Common Core standards.

The money is the second round of funding, boosting the regional total to $100.4 million

Schools districts can use the money to train teachers, buy new materials or improve technology.

The state adopted the Common Core standards in 2010 and implementation began with the new academic year. The new standards seek to improve students' critical thinking.

Cindy Marten, the superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, said Common Core isn't about getting students ready to take a test, but about developing them so that they're ready for the workplace and can contribute to society.

San Diego Unified received $11.4 million in the latest round of funding, bringing its total to $22.6 million. The Sweetwater Union High School District got the second largest amount -- $4.1 million, for a total of $8.3 million. The Poway Unified School District was given $3.6 million, for a total of $7.1 million.

Other districts received smaller sums of money. They were also provided funds to distribute to charter schools within their boundaries.

The state disbursed a total of $622 million, or around $200 per student.

-- City News Service