Keep Common Core

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The League of Women Voters of Utah supports the Common Core Standards. We are concerned that a recent fundraising letter from the Sutherland Institute indicates that one of its goals for the 2013 session of the Utah Legislature is to "Complete Utah's withdrawal from the federal 'Common Core' education standards by passing our own educational standards."

The Common Core Standards were not imposed by the federal government. They represent an initiative from the National Governors' Association and the Council of Chief School Officers. They were developed by teachers and other education experts and accepted by all states except Alaska and Texas.

Standards don't dictate curriculum. They are goals. Educators can and will adapt curriculum to the needs of the children.

Without waiting to evaluate results, the Sutherland Institute would have Utah discard the time, money and effort invested in Common Core implementation. It expects local school districts and state boards to develop yet another set of standards.

The League of Women Voters supports educators in their efforts to provide Utah children with a world-class education using the Common Core Standards.

Marilyn O'Dell Co-president League of Women Voters of Utah

Ogden