The newly formed panel that will review the Common Core State Standards has begun its work and is expected to complete their review by the end of the upcoming school year.

The review of the standards will focus on English and mathematics, according to officials with the Louisiana Department of Education.

“The process, approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) in April, passed by legislators during the 2015 Legislative Session, and signed into law, empowers 101 educators and experts nominated by school districts, professional associations, and advocacy organizations to review and develop expectations for Louisiana students that will prepare them for college and career,” reports a news release from LDOE. “Educators, parents and all other stakeholders will provide comment on the standards through an online Standards Review Portal that will launch July 8.”

All public comments will be accepted online and will be shared with the standards review committee and content subcommittee members. Additionally, officials say, members of the public may attend any of the statewide meetings to share their feedback on how to improve instruction in Louisiana and the department. Members of the public can also submit their comments in writing during each meeting.

“Our state found common ground in the simple idea that we trust professional educators to do what is right for students,” State Superintendent John White said. “The product these 101 volunteer educators and experts produce will reflect the years of experience and commitment they have given to the children of our state.”

Following the end of the 2015 legislative session, state Rep. Gene Reynolds and Webster Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dan Rawls say this is a step in the right direction.

Rawls says CCSS isn’t working for Louisiana students and with this review committee, it will allow Louisiana to tailor a curriculum that works for all involved.

“It’s finally getting the two sides together, and it is a good thing,” Rawls said in May. “Both sides are finally going to reach across the aisle and we’re going to sit down together and go through these GLE’s and decide what’s best for our kids. Somewhere in there, I think they will ultimately come up with a solution that will finally help kids.”

Reynolds says the PARCC test so widely criticized and feared is off the table as well.

A list of committee meetings and more information on the review process may be found on LDOE’s website at www.louisianabelieves.com.