AM Alert: Common Core arts education in the spotlight

Once relatively free of controversy, the Common Core academic standards have set off a backlash from parents, students and policymakers concerned about the new school guidelines.

Unlike some states that have sought to roll back the standards, California has forged ahead, passing a budget with $1.2 billion for Common Core implementation and a law discarding old high-stakes tests in favor of new exams. Still, some skeptics have wondered if the rigorous new standards will stress certain skills and topics over others.

Today, officials and educators will make the case for Common Core supporting creativity. An event sponsored by the California Arts Council and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association will spotlight “Creativity at the Core,” an initiative advanced by the superintendents organization seeking to incorporate arts into teaching Common Core. Attendees will include California Arts Council director Craig Watson as well as representatives of some lawmakers and newly re-elected state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

ELECTION UPDATE: Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove, saw his lead over Republican challenger Doug Ose tick down slightly and remain at fewer than a thousand votes. Also in the congressional arena, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, expanded his lead over Republican Johnny Tacherra. And with updated numbers from Los Angeles County, incumbent Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Los Angeles, has slipped back to 46 votes behind challenger Patty Lopez after having closed the gap to seven votes.

Get the latest vote count, campaign contribution and independent expenditure totals for Nov. 4 legislative elections on sacbee.com.

COMMUNITY: Community college officials will gather in Cupertino today for a meeting of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The agenda includes legislative priorities for the coming year and a discussion of when undocumented immigrants can claim in-state tuition.

DELTA FORCE: Managing the ecologically complex Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta takes a lot of work. Today the legislatively mandated Delta Stewardship Council will meet to discuss flood control, levees, conservation and the Delta’s role in the overarching California Water Action Plan. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 980 9th Street.

This story was originally published November 16, 2014 at 10:00 PM.