Criticism raised toward Oklahoma replacement for Common Core

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma legislators in the coming week will address suggested changes to education standards written to replace the "Common Core" requirements.

The Legislature ordered the changes two years ago amid criticism that the Common Core requirements were part of a federal mandate.

The Oklahoman reported that some are criticizing the new standards, saying they aren’t specific enough, but Senator Ron Sharp questions whether legislators have the necessary expertise to weigh in. The Republican from Shawnee is a former teacher.

A University of Arkansas researcher who reviewed the new standards lack material from Oklahoma’s political, intellectual and literary history. Sandra Stotsky said one would never know the standards were written by Oklahomans for Oklahoma, adding that they could have been written "by people on Mars for Martians."