Many states approach the work of implementing the Common Core State Standards from the perspective that the change will be complete the year new assessments are launched. While this is certainly a significant point on the implementation timeline, the transition to CCSS will be far from over when it occurs.

After more than a decade of standards-based reform in education, student achievement continues to lag. Given that Common Core Standards are significantly more rigorous than previous editions of student content standards, approaching implementation of CCSS with a light-switch change approach versus a long-term change approach may be inappropriate.

Light-switch changes are carefully orchestrated and designed, and occur with the flip of a switch. Light-switch change is frequently used for technical changes where the problem, solution, and means to implementation are clearly defined. In these circumstances, experts prepare for the change in advance of the established time set for flipping the switch.

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