The Jacksonville Public Education Fund will host the first of two community meetings on the common core state standards Monday night at Edward Waters College.
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Common Core is a collection of learning objectives for students in kindergarten through 12th grade that will be used in 45 states, including Florida.
The standards had wide support when they were first adopted in 2010, but opposition has been mounting as the state moves closer to their full implementation in 2014.
One problem, says JPEF President Trey Csar, is that a lot of people confuse standards with curriculum.
“Common core state standards are just that, they’re standards, they are the ‘what’ kids are expected to learn, not the ‘how’," he said.
"They don’t impose a specific textbook or a specific way to be taught, it is the what. And curriculum is handled at the local level and common core state standards are decided at the state level.”
Csar said Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti and a number of other educators and school leaders will be on hand to answer people’s questions and address their concerns.
Monday's meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the Milne Auditorium at Edward Waters College. The second community meeting is next Monday, Oct. 28 at the University of North Florida’s Herbert University Center.
Both events are free and open to the public but JPEF encourages people to register ahead of time so that there are enough materials to go around. Visit JaxPEF.org or call (904) 356-7757 for registration information.
Community Meetings:
Monday, October 21, 6-7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30; refreshments), Milne Auditorium, Edward Waters College
Monday, October 28, 6-7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30; refreshments), Herbert University Center, University of North Florida
