Support for Common Core in Ohio

Friday, September 12, 2014Printer-friendly version

Over the past several weeks, the state of Ohio has held hearings about proposed legislation that attempts to roll back Ohio’s New Learning Standards, what the state calls the Common Core State Standards. During these hearings, legislators heard strong support for the standards from a cross section of Ohioans. Most importantly, educators called on the state to keep moving forward with the standards they have worked to implement for four years.  

Here are excerpts from supportive voices across Ohio with links to their full testimonies:

Testifying for the Common Core: Rocky River parent, Bay Village curriculum director

The Plain Dealer

September 9, 2014

"I firmly believe that Ohio's New Learning Standards are rigorous, challenging to all students, and more focused, going beyond shallow learning that encourages rote memorization and instead allowing time for deeper learning, enabling students time to develop a solid base of knowledge and skills," Shryock told the committee. … “For the first time as an educator, I feel that teachers don't have to teach to a test, but instead, can be confident that the tests will match their teaching. Our Ohio Next Generation Assessments will give students multiple ways to 'show what they know', their knowledge and skills, not just fill in bubbles or make a lucky guess."

- Char Shryock, Chairman of the Ohio Educator Leader Cadre:

 

Testifying for the Common Core: John Carroll University math prof Linda Gojak

The Plain Dealer

September 9, 2014

“How many of you have heard someone lament, ‘I was never very good at mathematics?’ I hear that a lot!  And, to me that is just not good enough for our children.  We cannot continue with business as usual – teaching through rote understanding and rules that are only memorized.  We lose too many children who have the potential to do well in mathematics, and thus we close many doors to future careers.”

- Linda Gojak, professor of mathematics at John Carroll University and immediate past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

 

Northeast Ohio school districts stood up for the Common Core before the Ohio House

By Patrick O'Donnell, The Plain Dealer

September 8, 2014

"This bill would undo thousands of hours teachers have invested into learning about Ohio's New Learning Standards and how best to help their students be successful," the 16 superintendents in that county told The Plain Dealer. "Additionally, a substantial investment in materials to support the standards has been made. It's time to move on!"

 

Common Core is the best fit for students

By Michael L. Collins, Member, State Board of Education

The Columbus Dispatch

“I strongly support Ohio’s learning standards, also known as Common Core. Unfortunately, House Bill 597, introduced this summer in the Ohio House of Representatives, attacks the learning standards for reasons that do not benefit Ohio’s 1.8 million students.

"There are a couple of historical points about Common Core in Ohio that need to be restated. First, the learning standards were developed and adopted in Ohio in 2009-10 with significant citizen input, and the implementation process has been open throughout the state since then. Second, Ohio is successfully implementing the Ohio learning standards, not a federal government-derived set of standards foisted upon our state.”

Ohio newspaper editorial boards also weighed in to support the standards:

Common Core should stay - The Columbus Dispatch, August 1, 2014

Common Core for the common good - Akron Beacon Journal, August 2, 2014

All about the politics - Akron Beacon Journal, August 21, 2014

Stick with Common Core - The Toledo Blade, August 24, 2014

Ohio Lawmakers should not get rid of Common Core - The Plain Dealer, August 26, 2014

Common Core debate in Ohio fueled by politics with GOP - The Youngstown Vindicator, August 26, 2014

House should heed testimony - The Columbus Dispatch, August 31, 2014

State Sen. Peggy Lehner is right to call Common Core repeal hearings a "circus" - The Plain Dealer, September 3, 2014

Common Core repeal would be a mistake - CantonRep, September 3, 2014

Common Core circus - The Toledo Blade, September 8, 2014

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Achieve has developed materials to help states, districts, and others understand the organization and content of the standards and the content and evidence base used to support the standards. Visit www.achieve.org/achieving-common-core

If you find a news clip supportive of the Common Core, please send it to Chad Colby at ccolby@achieve.org.

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