Florida is moving ahead with revised Common Core standards. The state Board of Education approved the revisions Tuesday to the math and English language arts standards during a contentious meeting in Orlando.
More than 80 parents, grandparents and educators from across the state testified before the board. Nearly all of them spoke out against Common Core, arguing the standards are an example of federal over-reach and impose too many tests on children.Laura Caruso of the Florida Family Policy Council was among the speakers.
"Parents are finding out what's in it, and they are alarmed", said Caruso. "They are distressed."
The board adopted Common Core in 2010, joining most other states. But growing criticism prompted Governor Rick Scott to order a series of public hearings. At those hearings board members considered hours of testimony. They also received 19,000 public comments.
The revisions include some changes to the math standards and a requirement that children learn cursive writing.