NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A statewide business coalition is showing its support for Tennessee's Common Core education standards.
The group, called Businesses for Tennessee Prosperity, held a press conference at Legislative Plaza near the state Capitol on Wednesday afternoon to announce the effort.
The Common Core provides a set of standards for reading and math that are intended to provide students with the critical thinking, problem solving and writing skills needed to prepare them for college and the workforce.
Tennessee and 44 other states have adopted the standards, but some conservative groups are opposing their implementation.
Marc Hill, with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, says one common misconception is that Common Core is a federal program.
“It’s absolutely not a federal program or mandate. Common Core State Standards were developed by states, by governors, by commissioners of education, to make sure that states had rigorous standards to prepare students for the 21st century.”
The business coalition offering support is comprised of representatives from the state's regional chambers of commerce, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Tennessee Business Roundtable.