The Swan River School Board of Trustees discussed preparations for transitioning the school into the common core standards during their brief meeting on Dec. 11. The common core standards are a nationwide shift in public education that essentially creates a standardized schedule for lessons in every classroom across the country.

These standards are to be implemented by the 2013-14 school year and SRS is taking steps to prepare. Principal Marc Bunker told the board the school should hold off on purchasing new textbooks until ones designed for the new standards are available.

One of the main changes under the common core is that the amount of content covered in class is reduced so that students get a more in-depth experience with each subject covered.

“The criticism of the American (education) system is that it is a mile wide and an inch deep,” Bunker said.

Board member Eddie Crutsinger said this change would be beneficial since it is common for students to cram for tests but not retain the information beyond that point.

Bunker is currently meeting with SRS staff to find out how much progress they’ve made in aligning their lesson plans for next year with the common core standards as the school prepares for the change.