Arkansas' leading candidates for governor say high standards in education are necessary, whether they're known by the name "Common Core" or something else.
Democratic candidate Mike Ross and Republican Asa Hutchinson told members of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center on Tuesday that many people mistakenly believe Common Core requires a given curriculum while it is only a set of standards for students to achieve.
Both candidates said they wouldn't lower standards intended to prepare students for college or a career, but would allow tweaks.
Some teachers said districts have stopped teaching cursive writing and laid the blame on Common Core.
Also, Ross said he wouldn't change the minimum school district size of 350 students; Hutchinson said consideration should be given for rural districts where students have long bus rides.
