Groups Form Coalition to Support Common Core Standards
A new set of education standards continues to spark controversy across the U.S. and here in Georgia. 45 states, including Georgia, have adopted the Common Core education standards.
Wednesday, a coalition gathered at the State Capitol to express support for the standards. The move came one day after opponents advocated opting out of the Common Core.
The coalition, called Better Standards for a Better Georgia, is comprised of groups from 100 Black Men of Atlanta to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The group said the Common Core standards are rigorous and will better prepare students for college and careers. Susan Bell, chair of the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Readiness committee, says that matters to employers.
“We must continue to enforce strong education standards to help develop employees with key skills, such as critical thinking, team-building, and problem-solving,” she said.
Georgia schools have already implemented math and English/Language Arts standards. They’re scheduled to roll out science and social studies standards next year. However, some lawmakers have introduced legislation repealing the Common Core. Emily Jennette, Georgia’s 2008 Teacher of the Year, said that would cause students and teachers to lose ground.
“When you ask teachers to implement something new, which would happen if the Common Core went away, they’re going to take a step back instead of a step forward,” she said. “And that’s not fair to our kids.”
There is an area where the two sides agree. They both support the state board of education’s review of the standards, requested by Gov. Deal.
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