Politics & Government

Carroll Commissioners Host Common Core Forum Nov. 4

Commissioner Richard Rothschild said other public Common Core forums have denied those with differing perspectives the opportunity to present.

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a forum on the Common Core State Standards for education on Monday, Nov. 4 at Carroll Community College.

“The majority of the public still has little insight into what Common Core is, and the long-term implications," Commissioner Richard Rothschild said in a statement. "I am concerned that most forums around the state have given the podium to state educational officials that support the core, but groups with different perspectives have been denied an opportunity to present."

According to the Maryland State Department of Education website, Common Core is "a set of shared goals and expectations for what students should understand and be able to do in grades K-12 in order to be prepared for success in college and the workplace."

Roberta Windham, a Carroll County government representative, said the speakers/panelists will include:

  • Christopher Tienken -- an assistant professor of Education Administration at Seton Hall University 
  • Sandra Stotsky -- a professor of education reform at the University of Arkansas
  • Jerome Dancis, a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland
  • A speaker from the newly formed group Carroll Values Educational Freedom and Excellence (not to be confused with parent advocacy group Carroll Values Education).
  • Denny Guilick -- a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland 

A moderator has not yet been named, according to Windham.

The Carroll County Board of Education and several CCPS staff members, the State Superintendent of Schools and a local professor were invited to participate, according to Windham, but declined.

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Commissioners Doug Howard and Haven Shoemaker were opposed to hosting a forum, according to the Baltimore Sun, with Howard saying that the forum could turn into a political event.

Commissioner Robin Frazier said in a statement that the forum offers another opportunity for citizens and commissioners to learn more about Common Core, and get answers from education experts with differing views.

“Under Maryland law, every member of the Board of Commissioners is also an Ex Officio member of the Board of Education," Frazier said. "Because more than 50 percent of our total budget goes to education, we have a responsibility to understand how taxpayer money will be spent, and how this will affect our children and teachers."

Carroll County Public School Superintendent Stephen Guthrie previously told Patch that the Common Core curriculum, adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia, starting being implemented in Carroll County schools two years ago. He said information about the curriculum was openly discussed in Board of Education meetings and information distributed to parents.

Common Core implementation started two years ago, Guthrie said. "The process is done, it's fully implemented this year."

The county will not pay speaking fees for those presenting at the forum, but will pay $400 for travel expenses for one of the speakers, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The forum will start at 6:30 p.m. in Room K-100 of Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd.

This meeting is open to the public. Time will be reserved for questions and comments from the public, according to a statement.

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