A、It doesn’t need the same standard. B、Individual states are responsible for education. C、Experts don’t agree with each other. D

Americans are considering national education standards recently developed by teachers and other education experts. The United States, unlike other nations, has never had the same school standards across the country. (20) What’s the reason? Education is not discussed in the Constitution. That document limits the responsibilities of the federal government. Other responsibilities, like education, fall to the individual states. Local control of education probably was a good idea 200 years ago. People stayed in the same place and schools knew what students needed to learn. But today, people move to different cities. And some people work at jobs that did not exist even 20 years ago. The standards deal with language and mathematics in every grade from kindergarten through high school. Forty-eight states have already shown approval for the standards. Two states reject the idea. Critics say that working towards the same standards in every state will not guarantee excellence for all. (21) Some educators in Massachusetts say adopting the proposal will hurt their students because the state standards are even higher. Others say the change will be too costly, requiring new textbooks and different kinds of training for teachers. Still, others fear federal interference or control. Supporters say the standards are goals and do not tell states or teachers how to teach. They also say the federal government is not forcing acceptance. (22)However, approving the standards will help states qualify for some federal-grant money.
20. Why does the US have no universal education standards?
21. Why do educators in Massachusetts refuse the same standard?
22. What can we learn from the supporters?