The first book I ever loved was Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by J.K. Rowling, and since then I have been hooked on reading.
Through the years, reading has been both my escape and my direct path to knowledge. But in order to read to learn, I first had to learn to read.
Reading and writing, math, and other vital skills are the foundation of my education, and as a recent graduate of the University of Florida, I embrace building the strongest groundwork possible for producing college- and career-ready students. This is achieved through Common Core State Standards.
Already adopted by more than 40 states, these common standards level the playing field by determining the goals that students should reach, no matter what state [of the U.S.A.] they are in. They dictate what a student should know and be able to do by the end of a school year, but not the means of achieving this goal, leaving the curriculum up to the local districts. They define essential knowledge, but dont put boundaries on what can be taught. This gives teachers power and guidelines to follow, so that everyone in the classroom knows what is expected of them.
But more than giving teachers power, these higher standards give students power over their own education. They teach critical thinking skills, not just memorization. They teach how to analyze, not just to accept an answer because they are told it is correct.
In college and in life, were asked to evaluate, come to our own conclusion and defend our answers. Common Core will help build this life skill of immeasurable value.
And students are no longer just competing with the person sitting next to them in class. I can assure you were competing with people from around the world for a spot at our first-choice college or for our dream jobs.
As a recent college grad entering the workforce, I see more and more just how crucial it is to be able to compete with top-level students from every state. Common Core State Standards are raising expectations for Florida students, giving them the tools to attain their goals.
For these reasons, and many others, I support Common Core State Standards. Florida is already headed in the right direction (graduation rates have increased more than 20 percent since 1998), but Common Core State Standards will continue to lead us to be the top academic state in the nation.
I believe in the limitless potential of students, and those who believe the same should support this exciting transition to a higher bar. With the state of Florida backing them, the only place students can go is up.
Lucy Gosselin is a recent graduate of the University of Florida who lives and works in Tallahassee.
