Letter: Common Core is no sinister plot but a curriculum guide only

Students and teachers need standards to guide and evaluate teaching and learning. Standards do not impugn an educator's professionalism, rather they are inherent to best pedagogical practices.

M. Donald Thomas ("Common Core supporters providing misinformation," Forum, March 7) does not really understand the current Common Core standards. Standards guide curriculum but are not curriculum. Because of the diversity of technology and available content resources, today more than ever education needs standards.

I could not understand Mr. Thomas' assertion that the Common Core standards would lead to ridicule, punishment and privatization of underfunded and disadvantaged public schools. If anything, it is to be expected that common standards and high expectations would level the playing field for all students when it comes to college and career readiness,integral to the mission of the Common Core standards.

It has been explained many times and in many ways that these standards came from needs recognized by state superintendents of public education, and that their development was funded by business philanthropists such as Bill and Melinda Gates. and also federal money. Supporters of the Common Core are confident that this is not a sinister plot, but rather an effort to improve public education for all students.

Lea Cotter

Salt Lake City