Schools

PUBLIC EDUCATION: Where Do You Stand On Common Core State Standards?

Californians are being asked to weigh in.

Californians are being asked to weigh in on an initiative underway for public schools that has raised eyebrows on both sides of the political aisle.

On Thursday, California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced the release of the draft Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve for public comment.

The draft for mathematics is part of the Common Core State Standards initiative underway for public schools. 

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This draft Math Framework is an important step on California’s path toward the Common Core State Standards, which provide a practical way to prepare children for the challenges of a constantly changing world by learning step-by-step the practical skills they need for career and college,” Torlakson said. “I’m looking forward to feedback from the public as we put these standards to work remodeling our education system.”

California is part of a multistate consortium that developed the Common Core State Standards for math and English. According to a news release today from the California Department of Education, the Common Core State Standards “keep the best of California’s current standards, but replace outdated ways of learning with a clear focus on the key knowledge and skills students need, and provide teachers the time to teach them well.”

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

California Education Code Section 60207 requires the State Board of Education to adopt a revised mathematics curriculum framework, according to Thursday’s news release.

“The draft Math Framework is the culmination of several years of work involving educators, content experts, and other education and community leaders,” the release read. 

The public will have until June 20, 2013, to review the draft Math Frameworks located at the California Department of Education’s Public Review and Comment on the Math Framework Web page. To leave comments, people may use the online 2013 Mathematics Frameworks Online Survey, or visit one of the 23 Learning Resource Display Centers statewide, where a hard copy of the draft will be available.

The public comments will then be presented to the Instructional Quality Commission this summer for review and possible inclusion into the final Math Frameworks. The State Board of Education may take action on the final Math Frameworks this fall.

The Common Core State Standards initiative is being praised by Torlakson, but not everyone is happy. Some liberal groups contend the standards dumb down education, while some conservatives argue the initiative is an example of government taking over local school systems.

Where do you stand on the issue? Do you have an opinion? Weigh in with your comments below.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here