While backlash against the Common Core continues among political groups in Georgia, it appears the state is doing well in implementing the set of standards. The United States Department of Education released its annual progress report on states participating in the Race to the Top initiative Thursday, with Georgia’s report listing “several key accomplishments,” including the launch of the Innovation in Teaching competition, new teacher assessments and the promotion of courses in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “While educational reform work is never easy, we are pleased with the significant progress that our state has made as reflected in this report,” said Susan Andrews, the Georgia Department of Education’s deputy superintendent of Race to the Top implementation, in a news release.