Finley-Sharon Public School

Dear Parent, Leader & Concerned Citizen,

Like many Americans, many of our educators have had the chance to travel to some different places in our great country. We certainly expect things to be different around the country. From policies to legislation, from weather to clothing styles and customs, we are not the same from state to state. But one thing that must be the same, regardless of which state we live in, is a quality education for our children.

As an educator and parent, over the years, the North Dakota State Standards have provided us a clear understanding of what our children are expected to learn at each grade level, K-12.  The reality that we live in now is that the world has changed since we went to school.  We live in a mobile society where it behooves those of us who make our profession in the education of your children, to work tirelessly to assure that education standards are rigorous! Regardless of the state where the job takes our family we are doing what is right for our kids by collaborating with our peers and our neighbors in other states with regard to “what” our students need to know.  Please know, those of us who have given our lives to education have not done so for money, or for fame, and most certainly not to subject ourselves to an onslaught of negative politics.  We do so because of an absolute calling that we have to give every student the best opportunities we can as they progress through our public school systems.  Decisions we make that have impact on our students are not taken lightly.  Please trust that the educators in North Dakota are professionals in the education field.  

That the standards are evidence-based and developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts gives me confidence that our students will graduate fully prepared for college. North Dakota has always taken very seriously the process of setting standards (what our students need to know to be ready for college and career).  Over 60 North Dakota educational leaders & teachers helped write the North Dakota Standards, so we’ve been a part of this since the beginning.  Further, the business communities at a national, state, and local level have enthusiastically rallied around this process and encouraged us as educators to raise the bar for the future generation of professionals.

North Dakota educators have been teaching by standards-based education for decades. In fact, the currently approved North Dakota State Standards in Mathematics and English/Language Arts are closely aligned to the standards we’ve been using for years. What the updated standards have done, however, is provided a venue to rejuvenate our efforts, increase our communication, and further ensure the success of our students.

Unfortunately, like so many other issues, our State Standards are surrounded by myths.  Some of these myths indicate that perhaps the standards were not vetted, that they tell teachers HOW to teach, or that they are a federal government mandated piece of No Child Left Behind and will lead toward a national curriculum. Please know these statements are inaccurate.  Sadly when the standards are misrepresented, the incredible value that the standards provide to parents wanting to be fully engaged in their children's education makes the myths all the more dangerous and could represent a huge loss to our education system in America.  Please know that educational leaders in our state stand united in our support of rigorous state standards and are working tirelessly to implement our current standards to benefit our students.

We ask that you please look at the information below that outlines the true facts around the State Standards before making rash decisions, repeating things that may not be true, or spending any part of your day feeling unsure that the direction our schools are taking for the betterment of your son or daughter is off track on the basis of these college and career ready standards. Thank you for your concern in your student’s success.

We hope this message regarding the perspective of our state’s superintendents, principals, and educational leaders will be a benefit to you as we work together toward the best possible educational system for the students of North Dakota.  Thanks again for your concern and advocacy for our students!  

Sincerely, 

Dr. Aimee M. Copas 

Executive Director

North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders