EDUCATION

and alignment of these standards and the policies that support them that must be addressed before this should be allowed to move forward.”

Department of Education spokeswoman Patrice Guilfoyle said House has not seen the letter and had no immediate comment.

Sen. Sally Doty, RBrookhaven, told The Clarion-Ledger she was aware that Common Core opponents had held a meeting Monday night in her district. She said the new standards could make Mississippi children more competitive with their peers across the nation.

“I do have some concerns with the costs involved with testing. I have two children in public schools, and I want to make sure they have the same standards and information they need to compete,” Doty said. “Brookhaven has already implemented Common Core in K through second grade. The decision has already been made, but I guess the Conservative Coalition wants our Department of Education to back away? I support Common Core if it’s going to improve our education standards.”

The Department of Education’s other public meetings about Common Core standards were last Wednesday in Meridian and Thursday in Cleveland. This week’s meetings will be Monday in Natchez, Tuesday in Biloxi, Wednesday in Hattiesburg and Thursday in Hernando.

The Hernando meeting is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hernando High School Peforming Arts Center.