Coastal Carolina University's Spadoni College of Education will host an Education Forum on "The Common Core State Standards: Facts and Myths" on Wednesday, April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Wheelwright Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Two educators -- Oran Smith and Eric Smith -- will discuss issues relating to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) adopted by the state for K-12 English Language Arts and Mathematics. Following the speakers, a panel of invited guests will discuss the ideas presented and provide additional perspectives regarding standards, student learning, assessment and related issues.

The CCSS is designed to provide a consistent educational framework to prepare students for success in college and the workplace. The purpose of this forum will be to address issues and perspectives about the development, intent, content and implementation of the standards.

Oran Smith, executive director of the Palmetto Policy Forum and will speak on "How Common Core Went Wrong: Bringing Common Sense to Education Standards in South Carolina."

Eric Smith is a former commissioner of education for the state of Florida and is now with Chiefs for Change and the Foundation for Excellence in Education. He will address "The Real Story Behind the Common Core State Standards."

The event will be of particular interest to in-service and pre-service teachers, administrators, parents, community members and business leaders. The program will provide a medium for presenting and discussing current knowledge, issues and initiatives relevant to the Common Core State Standards and how these standards may affect curriculum, instruction and assessment of student learning. The format for the forum will include a brief presentation on how a school district is currently implementing the CCSS, then two 20-minute keynote presentations that will provide the audience with an overview of specific knowledge, research and policy initiatives relevant to the facts and myths about the Common Core State Standards. Following the keynotes, a discussion panel comprised of the keynote speakers and invited discussants will provide additional perspectives and respond to audience questions.

The forum is sponsored by CCU's Spadoni College of Education's Consortium for Educational Research and Evaluation.

Wheelwright Auditorium is located at 108 Spadoni Park Circle in Conway.

To register online go to http://bit.ly/1cOOAc4 or contact Lynne Brock at 843-349-2629.