BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A group assembled by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to recommend improvements to Idaho's education system voted nearly unanimously to support new "Common Core" education standards as it seeks to head off a potential effort to derail it come the 2014 Legislature. The task force, assembled by Otter eight months ago, voted Friday to support Idaho's push to advance with these requirements, part of a 47-state push to align educational standards across America, from the more-fragmented existing system. One member of the 31-person panel, Madison School District Superintendent Geoff Thomas, opposed Common Core, arguing it wasn't developed with adequate teacher involvement. State Sen. John Goedde, the Senate Education Committee chairman, countered these standards will allow districts' performance to be judged against each other, not only in Idaho, but across the nation.

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