The state’s recent implementation of Common Core State Standards has left many stakeholders within Turlock Unified School District with a number of unanswered questions and reasonable distress.

Since the application of CCSS, TUSD parents have voiced concerns about the lack of a Common Core aligned textbooks, the lack of math class options for students at the junior high level, and the general lack of clarity related to CCSS.

On Nov. 5, these issues and more will be addressed at “Unveiling Common Core: The Unanswered Questions.”  A combined effort among parents, educators, and citizens who share the same concerns about Common Core, the event will be an outlet for experts to answer questions that attendees might have about the newly implemented standards.

In addition to answering questions, panelists will also review fundamental changes in the new educational standards, governmental data warehousing, and high stakes testing.

“This panel discussion is very important to give parents and educators better tools and information to understand how Common Core will effect education in California,” said Peggy Nickle, one of the event organizers. “Every day, we receive calls and emails from parents who want to know more about Common Core and what it means for their children. We want to provide a place where they can come to be informed and make a decision for themselves.”

Headlining the panel is Sandra Stotsky, a nationally recognized expert on problems in Common Core’s English language arts standards and Professor Emerita at the University of Arkansas. Stotsky is also credited with producing one of the country’s strongest set of academic standards for K-12 students, as well as the strongest academic standards and licensure tests for prospective teachers.  

Stostky will be joined by Kevin Snider of the Pacific Justice Institute and R. James Milgram, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University in Mathematics.

Both Stotsky and Milgram served as members of the Common Core Validation Committee and ultimately refused to sign off on the nationalized standards.

The event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Modesto Centre Plaza. Although the event is free, guests are required to register prior to attending at eventbrite.com.