The education testing standards known as Common Core have been “eradicated” from Florida classrooms, according to the state’s Department of Education.
Almost one year ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order eliminating Common Core from Florida’s public school curriculum. State school officials then sought public help determining what would replace Common Core.
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Under Executive Order 19-32, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran conducted a review of the state’s academic standards for students kindergarten through 12th grade and provided recommended revisions to the governor. Based on that review, Corcoran and education officials are proposing a new program, called Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking, or BEST, standards for English language arts (ELA) and math.
In a news release issued Friday, the Department of Education released the name of its new proposed education method for math and English language arts. Corcoran has recommended that the State Board of Education formally adopt the new standards on Feb. 12.
According to Corcoran, the new standards drop “the crazy math” Common Core was known for frustrating parents around the state. Click here to read the full proposal to overhaul Florida’s education standards.
“Florida has officially eliminated Common Core. I truly think this is a great next step for students, teachers, and parents,” DeSantis said in a news release. “We’ve developed clear and concise expectations for students at every grade level and allow teachers the opportunity to do what they love most – inspire young Floridians to achieve their greatest potential. These standards create pathways for students that lead to great college and professional outcomes and parents will now be able to reinforce what their children are learning in the classroom every day. Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards were made by Florida teachers for Florida students, and I know they will be a model for the rest of the nation.”
The Board of Education must formally adopt the new standards before they can be implemented in schools across the state. However, even then the change won’t happen overnight.
If the new standards are adopted, there will be a transition period allowing districts to move to the new standards. This includes curriculum, textbooks, other reading materials, and various items purchased by districts to assimilate into their curriculum programs.
The new curriculum could be implemented as soon as the next school year.
“As always, we will remain in compliance with state law in regards to their new standards and curriculum. This won’t impact anything this school year. There may be some adjustments made next year,” Michael Lawrence with Seminole County Schools said.
“It would be premature to respond as we have not yet reviewed the Governor’s announcement,” Michael Ollendorff with Orange County Public Schools said.
“If Florida’s Board of Education adopts the new standards, there will be a transition/blending period allowing districts to move to the new standards. This includes curriculum, textbooks, other reading materials, and various items purchased by districts to assimilate into their curriculum programs. This is not an overnight process. Remember, the upcoming FSA tests (Florida Standards Assessment) are based on current standards (and help determine school grades); this is what students will be tested on. Any new standards would be assimilated into curricula and tested in future years,” Kevin Christian with Marion County SChools said.