A bill introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates would ban the state from participation in the Common Core educational standards, effectively nullifying them in practice in the state.

House Bill 34 (HB34), introduced by Del. Kelly Schulz, would stipulate that the Maryland State Board of Education may not enter into an “agreement or join a consortium or other organization that gives control over educational matters to any entity other than the State.”

The bill would also require the board of education to rescind its adoption of Common Core Standards the state’s membership in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers by July 1, 2015, while placing restrictions on county boards from establishing curriculum guidelines based on Common Core.

The state board and the state superintendent, working in conjunction with county boards, would replace Common Core standards with their own educational goals and objectives for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.

While touted as a state initiative, the federal government is deeply involved in both the formulation and implementation of Common Core, primarily through stimulus funding. The end result is that when you follow the money, it becomes clear that Common Core is a national program.

Constitutionally, the federal government should not be involved in education at all.

Currently, HB34 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee will first need to pass the bill before the full house can vote on it.

TAKE ACTION IN MARYLAND:

Follow the steps to support this bill at THIS LINK

For Other States: Contact your state legislators and demand that they introduce legislation similar to Maryland HB34. You can find your legislator’s contact information by clicking HERE.

 

TJ Martinell