The Great Controversy of the Common Core Standards
Back in 2010, Florida became the 45th state to approve the common core standards, according to this article from the Orlando Sentinel.
Since then, they’ve been met with mixed reviews and are currently being revisited.
Some parents argued that the standards represent the federal government’s illegal intrusion into public education, a push toward even more high-stakes testing and a move toward developmentally inappropriate lessons, according to the Sentinel.
“I’m a mom who is frustrated and angry about anything to do with common core,” said Meredith Mears of Florida Parents Against Common Core.
Mears also said Common Core had led to her kindergartner being taught fractions and other work too difficult students her age.
Among the 100 changes are plans for Calculus, which previously wasn’t in the curriculum, as well as cursive handwriting, which will be brought back with the vote.
As the meeting kicked off today (Feb. 18) with comments from the board, board member John Conlon acknowledged the large crowd and told them he was open to hearing everything attendees had to say on the matter.
“I want to encourage public comment; I don’t believe that the board has a monopoly on good ideas,” Conlon said.
But Not Everyone Planned for the Meeting to Go Quietly
Florida Stop Common Core Coalition Members were expected to gather outside the Orlando meeting before it began, holding a rally and a press conference, according to this Naples Daily News article.
But Some Do Agree with the Standards
A former middle school teacher was pestered when she took to the podium to defend the Common Core standards. She taught in south Los Angeles, where she said the standards accomplished what they were designed to, according to the Daily News article.
She also said many teachers across Florida agreed with her and actually wanted the standards upheld, but were too busy teaching to attend the Tuesday morning meeting.
Naples-based Chris Quackenbush of Stop Common Core Florida was the fourth speaker to approach the podium, but he was the first to be subjected to the displeasure of Gary Chartrand, Chairman of the Board of State Education.
The audience clapped for the speaker before Quackenbush and Chartrand temporarily held up the meeting to tell audience members he would halt public comment if the clapping continued, according to the Daily News.
“If we want to continue with the public comment period, we are going to be respectful,” he said. “I’ve asked you that we have no clapping and no comments from the audience .. .if it continues, I’m going to cut it off.”
The Big Picture
Common Core critics have said the changes are minor and do nothing to appease their overall concerns.
Advocates of Common Core, on the other hand, say that the new standards will help ensure students leave high school better prepared for college or decent-paying jobs, according to the Sentinel.
If the board votes to accept the amendments to Common Core, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart will refocus her efforts on choosing an assessment; however, the decision to implement Common Core will be upheld.
