Bethany Bump is reporting at Capitol Confidential the State Education Department Wed., Sept. 21, announced proposed revisions to the Common Core learning standards used in classrooms across New York. Revisions were proposed specifically to the English language arts and math standards. The standards are written descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at a specific stage of their eduction. Two committees of more than 130 educators and parents recommended changes to 60 percent of the ELA standards and 55 percent of the math standards. Recommended changes include a reorganization of the writing standards; a refocus on the Pre-K to Grade 2 ELA standards, including a strong emphasis on the whole child and the importance of play as an instructional strategy; and, a streamlining of reading for information and reading for literature standards to ensure a balance of both types of reading across all grades. The committee also recommended a clarification of the math standards, and suggested the focus of major content and skills for each grade level be improved. New York first adopted the higher standards in 2010, and began testing students on those standards in 2013. The State Education Department is accepting public comment on the draft standards through November 4. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.