Top teachers support Common Core

HELENA — A group of past winners of the teacher of the year award are coming out in support of the new Common Core education standards, and the state says it is asking for a federal testing waiver for the new system.

Most schools in Montana are implementing the standards this year. The Board of Education decided two years ago to join 44 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting standards that aim to better prepare the nation’s students for college or a job.

A statement released Friday by 21 past Montana teachers of the year voiced support for the program. The supporters say the standards clearly explain what is expected of students at each grade level, and the curriculum teaches critical thinking over memorization.

Common Core was developed by the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers to replace educational goals that varied greatly in each state.

The group said that collectively they have over 500 years of teaching experience and think the standards are more rigorous, specific and comprehensive. They also said the standards put English and math competencies into other subject areas to improve learning.

Mary Sheehy Moe, who won the award in 1987 and taught English in Columbia Falls, said the teachers felt vocal support was needed to help dispel a “lot of misinformation.”