Currently, every state has its own set of academic standards, but that may soon change. The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers are spearheading a state-led process that will lead to the development and voluntary adoption of K-12 national reading and math standards. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have signed on to the process. This Information Capsule describes the Common Core State Standards Initiative and reviews advantages and disadvantages of national standards. (Contains 1 table.)