St. Cloud Times 
25 December, 2003 

Standards' panel deserves thanks
By Gay Sikkink, Milaca

In the 2003 election, Minnesotans around the state elected legislators who promised to eliminate the Profile of Learning. True to their word, the 2003 Legislature ended this harmful experiment. Further, they devised a system to create new standards and directed Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke to carry out the plan. After the Legislature's mandate, committees made up of Minnesota teachers, parents and business people, successfully wrote, and the Legislature adopted, new math and language standards this past spring.

Starting in late June, the process began again -- this time to create science and social studies standards. Committees, again composed of teachers, parents and business people from throughout Minnesota, gathered numerous times. They spent hours poring over every issue, working to ensure that Minnesota's students would have excellent standards that met legislative requirements. Liberals and conservatives worked together, setting aside political differences, to create a factual document for the benefit of our children. Differing perspectives were solicited and welcomed.

As the writing stage of the process ends, and the document now moves to the legislature, I would like to thank the members who served on the committee for their tireless efforts. While working to define patriotism to the next generation, they exemplified it for all.