Call for Papers

AERA Open Special Topic Call for Papers
Implementation and Preliminary Effects of the Common Core Standards
Special topic editor: Morgan S. Polikoff, USC

The Common Core Standards represent the latest generation of standards-based reform in U.S. schools. The standards have been adopted in more than 40 states and, despite ongoing political controversy, are currently being implemented in classrooms nearly nationwide. The purpose of this special issue is to present early findings with regard to the implementation and effects of the Common Core standards, broadly speaking. The focus of the issue is on presenting the latest empirical evidence (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies are welcome) on the standards’ implementation or effects.

Studies need not be designed to attribute causal inference, but they should use rigorous methods appropriate to answer the research questions of interest. Articles may include a wide range of supplemental material, including data sets, setup-files, or exemplar video material.

Note that, for this special topic, articles that do not describe empirical research will not be considered. Possible topics include but are not limited to:
• Variation in implementation or effects across state, district, school, or classroom settings, and factors associated with that variation;
• Challenges to implementation within or across sites;
• Measurement tools or techniques for describing the implementation or effects of the standards;
• The effects of state or district politics on standards implementation;
• The role of curriculum materials, in- or pre-service teacher education, or other supports in influencing the implementation of the standards;
• The role of parents in supporting or inhibiting standards implementation.

Interested authors should submit an abstract (no more than 500 words) describing their proposed articles. Authors chosen at this stage will be invited to submit a full manuscript. Invited manuscripts will be peer-reviewed. Invitation to submit a full manuscript is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Publication Timeline:
July 1, 2015: Submission deadline for abstracts (submit to AERAOpenEditors@aera.net)
August 1, 2015: Invitation to authors to submit a manuscript
January 1, 2015: Manuscripts due
Summer/Fall 2016: Articles published

Please direct questions regarding the special issue to Morgan Polikoff (polikoff@usc.edu). Please consult the AERA Open website for general guidelines on manuscript submission.