February’s Omaha Press Club’s Noon Forum centered on the pros and cons of the Common Core State Standards Initiatives.
As of July 15, 2014, 43 states had approved Common Core Standards. Nebraska is one of the states that have not adopted them yet.
Guests included Dr. John Crook, a retired principal of Westside High School and Dr. Cherie Larson, Director of Instructional Service at the Plattsmouth Community School District.
Larson said her job is focused on student learning and supporting teachers and the state standards help her do that.
"From the curriculum point of view, it’s hard to compare educational systems. The world is getting smaller and so when you have standards that you know are rigorous and hard and similar to standards across the other nations. I’ve seen those standards and they are. Then that makes you feel more comfortable about making sure your students are prepared.”
Dr. Larson has worked in Africa, Singapore, South Carolina and Iowa in addition to Nebraska.
The Omaha Press Club will air Monday, March 23rd at Noon on KIOS.