Letters supporting Idaho Core Standards keep coming this week. The latest entry is a point-by-point response by the State Department of Education to an Oct. 17 letter by state Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, and Madison School District Superintendent Geoffrey M. Thomas. The pair criticized the standards as untested and having the potential for educational stagnation. They called for slowing down the implementation process which began this school year. Idaho Core Standards are the state’s version of Common Core State Standards, a common set of goals adopted by 45 states for what students should know and be able to do in math and language arts before they graduate from high school. Tom Luna, state superintendent of public instruction, argued that student learning is improving in states where Common Core State Standards have already been in effect/Bill Roberts, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Isn't it unsettling to agree with Superintendent Tom Luna on a controversial issue?