Grassroots Support for Common Core State Standards

Grassroots efforts to express broad public support for the Common Core State Standards are making their way into the hands of policymakers in states across the nation. Here are some of the best news clips with links, excerpts and quotes from educators and advocates: 

Oklahoma lawmakers receive petitions backing Common Core education standards

By Randy Ellis, The Oklahoman

March 5, 2014 

"A group supporting Oklahoma's Common Core education standards presented state lawmakers Wednesday with more than 7,000 electronic signatures asking for continued support of the stiffer education standards. 

And, 

"Amber England, governmental affairs director of Stand for Children Oklahoma, said petitioners wanted to show the Legislature that there is a lot of support for Common Core among Oklahoma parents, teachers and business organizations. 

"'The signatures represent a cross-section of Oklahomans,' England said, adding they 'all believe that we need to stand strong in our support for Common Core.' 

"'It's really unfortunate that there has been such a misinformation campaign around Common Core,' she said. 'If people who are so loudly opposed to Common Core would go speak to teachers and hear the amazing things that teachers have to say about Common Core, I think that they would be better served.'" 

Keep your hands off our common core standards, readers tell legislature (poll)

By Evan Belanger, AL.com

February 27, 2014 

"Respondents to a recent AL.com poll think the Alabama Legislature should stay out of the state school board's business, at least when it comes to setting education standards for public school students. 

"The poll data comes as a new Republican bill aims to repeal the nationalized English and math standards known as the common core and adopted by the Alabama State Board of Education in 2010.

And, 

"Asked Friday whether the academic standards that students learn in each grade should be decided by the Legislature of the state board of education, 77 percent of the 2,041 respondents said the school board with just 7 percent saying the Legislature. 

"Additionally, asked if the Legislature should overrule the state school board on the 2010 adoption of the English and math standards known as the common core, 61 percent said no and only 35 percent said yes."

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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.