Sound Off: Deadline Is Tomorrow For Comments On Florida’s K-12 Standards

If you’ve got concerns about Florida’s K-12 math, English and literacy standards — or a suggestion about how to improve them — you’ve got until tomorrow to submit them to the Florida Department of Education.

The agency is gathering feedback at the request of Gov. Rick Scott. So far the agency has received more than 13,000 comments. All comments must be submitted on or before October 31.

The standards, known as Common Core, have drawn opposition as schools approach next fall’s deadline for using the standards in every grade. The standards outline what students should know at the end of each grade. Students will need to show what they know and prove with evidence how they know it.

Critics worry the standards reduce local control over classroom content, increase the amount of standardized testing and will be expensive, among other concerns.

“I am extremely pleased and appreciate all the feedback from parents, teachers, administrators and the public about Florida’s standards,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to let us know their ideas and suggestions to make our standards the best they can be.”

The agency plans to review the comments and report back to the State Board of Education at its November 19th meeting.

You can submit comments and suggestions online at floridastandards.org or by email at flstandards@fldoe.org.