The proposed K-12 state education standards for math and language arts received a critical reaction Friday at Austin High School.

Some of the speakers agree that the current Profile of Learning needs to go. Teachers, administrators and legislators have said the Profile bogs down educators with paper work and that the activities aren't specific enough for children to grasp the concept they're supposed to be learning.

But the new proposal seems to have flaws of its own. There have been complaints that it's actually too specific and doesn't allow students to apply certain concepts in real world situations.

Others are concerned that the cost to implement them may be too great for some school districts. Even the short time given to incorporate them into the current curriculum causes worry.

Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke has said that the standards are guidelines and are meant to fit into current curriculums and teaching philosophies.

The committees who put these standards together had only three weeks. Yecke's trips across the state are meant to give more thought and feedback to the help the plan.

If you haven't all ready, check out the Children, Families and Learning Web site to see the standards in detail at http://cfl.state.mn.us.

There is still time to weigh in on this new direction in Minnesota education.