National standards impinge on Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has high standards. Massachusetts students do well on NAEP and international tests. Now, comes the proposal for 'voluntary' national standards (voluntary because states don't have to follow them if they are willing to forgo national funds. Good luck with that! By history, states all fall in line sooner or later.) People who have read the proposal are telling us that the national standards are lower than Massachusetts (and Virginia? and other states with high standards?) standards.

Now what? Where will it settle down. Where will the compromises lead? My fear is that the voluntary national standards will settle down in some vague, 'lowest common denominator' middle. Not a good place.

(Will Massachusetts maintain its high standards?). An important story to watch.