Ohio PTA backs use of Common Core Standards

By Denise Dick

Staff report

columbus

The Ohio PTA supports the state board of education’s decision to adopt Common Core Standards.

“Ohio PTA enthusiastically supports the Ohio State Board of Education’s decision to adopt the Common Core State Standards and is eager to see the standards implemented,” said Debbie Tidwell, president of Ohio PTA.

A generous grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be used to engage, educate and train PTA members and parents about the Common Core State Standards.

Six members of Ohio PTA CCSS Committee traveled to Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 10-12 for training.

The information they learned will be shared with PTA members and others throughout the state.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort designed to improve educational outcomes for students by developing a set of consistent and clear K-12 academic standards in English language arts and mathematics.

These standards are relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills young people need to be prepared for both college and work in a global economy.

Ohio PTA, a branch of the National PTA, is made up of more than 90,000 members in 586 PTA units throughout the state.

Since May 1901, Ohio PTA has been an advocate for public education, a relevant resource for parents and a powerful voice for children.

The Ohio PTA will be working on the Common Core State Standards Initiative throughout the 2010-11 school year, as it continues its mission of helping to make every child’s potential a reality.