NATCHEZ — Under a new state-led effort meant to improve education, students from all over the world would be on a level playing field, state Parent-Teacher Association President Deloris Irving told a group of parents and teachers Saturday.

Approximately 23 members of the Natchez High School PTA met Saturday morning to learn about the Common Core State Standard Initiative.

CCSSI focuses on English and math. By following a specific, challenging curriculum, Irving said, children would easily be able to transition from school to school.

For example, she said, if a child moves, he or she might have to be held back, because the same things aren’t taught at every school.

“Two plus two in Mississippi is still two plus two in (somewhere like) New Jersey,” Irving said.

The difference, she said, is not all children are educated with the same rigor, so they don’t advance as quickly.

Now, however, 48 states have adopted the CCSSI, and it’s expected to be fully implemented by 2014. The exceptions are Texas and Alaska.

Natchez High School Principal Cleveland Moore said he went to a training session in Jackson in June.

“We’ll be starting with (kindergarten), and have (CCSSI) filter its way up to 12th grade,” he said. “In the long run, it’ll produce better students as they move up in grade (levels).”

CCSSI works in conjunction with state standards, Moore said. The federal government does not set it up.

“You can’t just throw state standards aside,” he said.

“You still have to maintain them.”

One of Natchez High’s assistance principals, Jerry Knight, said there’s no way CCSSI can be implemented without parents’ involvement.

“You have to get parents to understand that it will benefit their child,” he said.

Irving said more informative sessions about CCSSI would be available wherever they’re wanted.

“When 2014 comes, if we’ve had the opportunity to meet with the community, it will be better,” she said. “Many times, parents don’t know about (new programs) until they end.”

PTA isn’t just for people with children, Moore said.

“We want to be more diverse now,” he said.

Irving emphasized the importance of not allowing children to fall behind.

“We have to understand that children are competing in a global society,” she said. “The curriculum should compare.”