2015 will carry special significance throughout much of the country — including New Jersey— as schools complete the transition to the Common Core standards. This spring, students statewide are taking the PARCC test, a next-generation exam aligned to the new, tougher standards. This marks a critical milestone not just for the Common Core but, more importantly, for the decades-long journey to improve America's schools.

On May 13, Fordham President Michael J. Petrilli delivered testimony before a Pennsylvania State Senate committee. These were his remarks. As a strong conservative and a strong supporter of education reform, I am pleased to speak in favor of Senate Bill 6 and its intent to create an Achievement School District for Pennsylvania. Turnaround school districts are among the most promising reforms in American education today.

2015 carries special significance throughout much of the country as schools complete the transition to the Common Core standards. Right now, students statewide will take the Smarter Balanced test, a next-generation exam aligned to the new, tougher standards. This marks a critical milestone not just for Common Core but, more importantly, for the decades-long journey to improve America’s schools.

As difficult and disliked as school closures can be, a new study being released Tuesday by the Fordham Institute indicates that the students usually benefit. When we looked at the impact of closures on their achievement, we found that, on average, children directly affected by closure gained significantly—the equivalent of an extra month of learning in their new schools.