SBCUSD Continues Informational Meetings on New State Standards

The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is holding a series of informational meetings to help parents and community members understand the new state education standards, better known as Common Core. The goal is to ensure that parents are informed. They can participate in the dialogue about the new standards, said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden. “This is a topic of interest for every parent, no matter the age of their child,” Marsden said. “Naturally, parents want to know how the new educational standards will impact and benefit their children.” The Common Core Standards are designed to provide students greater rigor and depth of learning that result in better critical-thinking skills and the ability to apply what has been learned. The new standards shift education toward more independent learning and a more in-depth conceptual understanding of specific topics to prepare students for college and/or a career. The meetings will provide a brief overview of what the Common Core Standards consist of and how they are being implemented in California. There will be a question and answer segment. Dr. Matty Zamora, the District’s assistant superintendent of Educational Services, encouraged parents to learn more about the new state standards. “These standards require a lot more out of our students,” Zamora said. “Students are going to be more fluent in mathematics, and they're going to be better writers and readers based on what the Common Core will be requiring them to do.” Parents are welcome to attend any meeting regardless of the geographic area in which they live. Spanish-language presentations will be available at every meeting. The remaining dates and times are as follows: Dec. 12, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Pacific High, 1020 Pacific St., San Bernardino, and the final meeting on Dec. 13, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Pacific High.