CHARLESTON, WV. (Jan. 28, 2015) – Two bills introduced in the West Virginia House would withdraw the state from Common Core standards, an important step toward nullifying nationalized education in the state.

House Bill 2184 (HB2184) was introduced by Del. Jim Butler (R-Mason) and nine co-sponsors. House Bill 2774 (HB2774) was introduced by Del. Pat McGeehan (R-Hancock) and six co-sponsors. The bills would void Common Core standards and create a framework to establish state standards to replace them.

HB2184 reads, in part:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, effective July 1, 2015, the State Board of Education may not continue to implement the academic content standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative or any assessments currently implemented as part of the Initiative.

HB2774 contains similar language, but creates a framework to create new independent standards at the state level. It reads, in part:

The State of West Virginia shall retain sole control over the development, establishment, and revision of standards established pursuant to this article. Neither the State Board of Education nor any other state education entity, nor any state official, may join any consortium or any other organization when participation in that consortium or organization would cede any measure of control over any aspect of West Virginia public education to entities outside the state, nor may any such person or entity condition or delay a decision on standards or curriculum on the decision of any consortium, organization, any other state government, or the federal government. Only standards that were developed under the sole authority of the State of West Virginia may be adopted or implemented…

For academic school years beginning after July 1, 2015, and ending before July 1, 2018, the State Board of Education shall adopt the official Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks implemented by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the year 2004 as the mandatory curriculum frameworks for English language arts and mathematics.

 

REBRANDING

While a powerful step toward permanently ending Common Core in West Virginia, the process it not without its potential pitfalls. As Shane Vander Hart at Truth in American Education said about a similar bill passed in Tennessee last year, many Common Core replacement bills end up being little more than “rebranded” versions of the same program. Even if the new state standards completely reject Common Core, it doesn’t mean the state won’t continue to allow the federal government to influence its education system. It will require public and legislative vigilance to completely push the feds out of education in West Virginia.

HB2774 addresses this. It would also create a procedure for the development of standards that would keep Common Core from being re-branded or re-implemented by basing them off of proven curriculums that have been successful in other states:

Each standards development committee shall select for use a highly-rated set of pre2009 state standards as the foundation blueprint for an academic plan….

The set of state standards used for an English language arts blueprint shall be drawn from: The pre-2010 California standards, the 2006 Indiana standards, the Massachusetts 2001 standards, and/or “An English Language Arts Curriculum Framework for American Schools: A Model,” released by Sandra Stotsky in 2013…

The set of state standards used for mathematics shall be drawn from: The pre-2010 California standards; the 2006 Indiana standards, the Massachusetts 2001 standards, the Washington 2008 standards, and/or the current Minnesota standards.

BACKGROUND

Common Core was intended to create nationwide education standards. While touted as a state initiative through the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the U.S. Department of Education was heavily involved behind the scenes. Up until recently, the DoE tied the grant of waivers from the No Child Left Behind Act to adoption of Common Core, using the standards as powerful strings to influence state educational policy. The Every Student Succeeds Act passed by Congress this month now prohibits the DoE from attempting to “influence, incentivize, or coerce State adoption of the Common Core State Standards … or any other academic standards common to a significant number of States.”

Even with the federal strings cut from Common Core for the time being, it is still imperative for each state to adopt its own standards. The feds can once again use these national standards to meddle in state education at any time if they remain in place. Just as importantly, one-size-fits-all standard simply don’t benefit children. State and local governments should remain in full control of their own educational systems.

Rejecting nationalized education standards is the first step toward bringing true academic choice, and freedom. Passage of this legislation into law represents a positive step forward for the people of West Virginia and a path for other states to follow.

Even with the federal strings cut from Common Core for the time being, it is still imperative for each state to adopt its own standards. The feds can once again use these national standards to meddle in state education at any time if they remain in place. Just as importantly, one-size-fits-all standard simply don’t benefit children. State and local governments should remain in full control of their own educational systems.

Rejecting nationalized education standards is the first step toward bringing true academic choice, and freedom. Passage of this legislation into law represents a positive step forward for the people of West Virginia and a path for other states to follow.

NEXT STEPS

HB2184 and HB2774 must pass the House Education Committee before they can receive full House votes.

If you live in West Virginia: click HERE and follow the instructions to help get this legislation passed.

If you live in another state: click HERE for information on Common Core initiatives in your state.

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