Opponents of Common Core standards plan protest at State Capitol

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Students may not be in class Monday after opponents of Common Core education standards will hold a protest in front of the State Department of Education.

The protest will include keeping kids out of class and marching to the State Capitol but if parents want these standards pulled other standards would have to be put in its place.

Time is running short and there's already funding tied up in text books and more if a change is made.

Common Core standards are supposed to be a clear set of goals that will help students succeed in English, Language Arts and Math.

Some parents see it differently.

"We feel like we don't know what's going on, for once in my child's education and that really concerns me as a parent," Tara Pitts said.

Making the learning process in classrooms across the state and nation more consistent, all grades are learning the same material.

"To take a set of standards, like the Common Core standards and to assume we can tackle education with a one size fits all approach is just not the right approach in my opinion," Rachel Cambre said.

This process has been bothering Rachel so much, she quit her job, and began home schooling.

"The states were coerced into this, they did not have input into these standards," Cambre said.

In Julie Weaver's case it's meant hours of homework away from the classroom, and inside five tests a week.

"She's no longer playing sports, she doesn't get to go out and play with her friends after school now," Weaver said.

A focus away from the classics to writing standards that is more informative or explanatory.

"These are dry, boring technical manuals that children are being asked to read and enjoy reading and in addition to that they're being asked to write informational text," Sheri Few said.

The standards have little support from the State Department of Education's Superintendent.

"He believes in customizing education at a local level, when you have a one size fits all requirements from Washington or anywhere else basically stating this is how you're going to learn and every child is going to learn the same material the same way on the same schedule, he knows that doesn't work," said Dino Teppara, state department of education spokesman.

Changing state law falls to the State Board of Education and Education Oversight Committee.

"Those are the two entities that approved the common core standards before Dr. Zais got elected but we want to work with everyone to be on the same page going forward," Teppara said.

Zais points to recent state report cards claiming giving districts flexibility has meant better grades.

For more information about Common Core standards, click here.

For more information about the protest, click here.

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