At a public hearing in Twin Falls Wednesday, educators and administrators urged the state to stick with its version of Common Core.
“The standards are working, they are rigorous and they are teaching our students to be critical thinkers,” said Peggy Hoy, a teacher at Twin Falls’ O’Leary Junior High School, according to a story from Ryan Blake of the Twin Falls Times-News.
The State Board of Education is hosting four hearings statewide to take public comment on its “rules governing thoroughness.” The far-reaching rule includes academic standards, and is the vehicle for the Idaho Core Standards, adopted in 2011.
At a hearing in Nampa Monday night, educators and business leaders spoke in favor of keeping Common Core in place. Critics — including the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a conservative lobbying group — urged the board to ditch the standards.
The Freedom Foundation was silent at Wednesday’s hearing, Blake reported, and House Education Committee Chairman Lance Clow was there to observe.
“If you look at the actual standards, they’re fine,” Clow told Blake. “People can’t really point at an individual standard and say there is something wrong with this.”
Hearings will continue in Coeur d’Alene Thursday and Idaho Falls on Tuesday. The State Board will review the rule this fall, and the 2020 Legislature will get the final word.
