Education Boss Won’t Rule Out Dropping Common Core In Florida

October 22, 2013

Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said  it’s too early to tell what she might recommend to the State Board of Education regarding Florida’s education standards, but she refused to rule out the possibility that Florida would abandon the controversial Common Core State Standards.

Speaking to reporters before a third public meeting to gather public comments on the standards — which some conservative activists view as federal intrusion in state schools — Stewart brushed off the idea that the state was “reversing course” on Common Core.

“In fact what we’re doing is making higher standards for our students and making more rigorous standards for our students,” she said. But pressed on whether getting rid of Common Core, as some commenters at the meetings have suggested, was on the table, Stewart didn’t directly answer.

“Well, certainly, that’s input,” she said. “So, as I said before, we’re going to take all of the input and we’re going to make a determination of exactly where we want to head as a state as far as moving forward on rigorous standards for our students.”

Stewart said she hopes to present a “summary” of the comments she’s heard to the board at its November meeting.

By The News Service of Florida

Comments

4 Responses to “Education Boss Won’t Rule Out Dropping Common Core In Florida”

  1. Concerned Educator on October 22nd, 2013 6:14 pm

    Come on people!! Listen to educators who have been using the standards for two years! Listen to those who welcome the changes. Don’t be afraid to compete nationally. This is another “hanging chad” for the state of Florida

  2. concerned n j on October 22nd, 2013 1:36 pm

    AMEN. Please wake up people.

  3. The DOER on October 22nd, 2013 10:33 am

    Information from “Concerned Women for America” pamphlet:
    Proponents claim that the Common Core standards are “rigorous,” “evidenced-based,” and will make students “college-ready.” However, curriculum experts believe the Common Core standards are below average and only prepare students for a community college rather than a four-year university.

    Dr. Sandra Stotsky, Professor Emerita at the University of Arkansas served on the Common Core Validation Committee and refused to sign off on the English language arts standards. She cited poor quality, empty skill sets, the de-emphasis on literature and low reading levels. She is concerned that the reading level that will assume students “college ready” will be seventh grade level.

    Equally disturbing is the prominence of nonfiction “informational texts” such as technical manuals, government documents, brochures and menus rather than highly regarded classic literature.

    Dr. James Milgram of Stanford University, the only mathematician on the Common Core Validation Committee, refused to sign off on the math standards. Dr. Milgram maintains that the math standards will, by eighth grade, leave American students two years behind their peers in high performing countries.

    Another factor that very few have even discussed is the cost. Estimation? Billions/Trillions of dollars.

  4. Southerner on October 22nd, 2013 7:53 am

    Drop it like a hot potato !!!!!!!!!!!