CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Jan. 21, 2019) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House would end Common Core in the state.
Del. Pat McGeehan (R-Hancock), along with two cosponsors, introduced House Bill 2374 (HB2374) on Jan. 14. The proposed law would discontinue the use of Common Core standards and assessments in West Virginia effective July 1, 2019.
While the proposed law would technically end Common Core in West Virginia, the process is not without potential pitfalls. Asย Shane Vander Hart at Truth in American Educationย said about a similar bill passed in Tennessee, legislatures often do little more than to create โrebrandedโ versions of the same program. Even if the new state standards completely reject Common Core, it doesnโt mean the state wonโt 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.
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. Initially, the DoE tied the grant of waivers from theย No Child Left Behind Actย to the adoption of Common Core, using the standards as powerful strings to influence state educational policy. Theย Every Student Succeeds Actย passed by Congress in 2015 prohibited the DoE from attempting to โinfluence, incentivize, or coerce State adoption of the Common Core State Standards โฆ or any other academic standards common to a significant number of States.โ ESSA gives more latitude to states and local school districts in determining standards, but the feds still maintain significant control over state education systems. States are required to submit their goals and standards, along with a detailed plan outlining how they plan to achieve them to the DoE for feedback and then approval.
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 independent based on their own criteria. 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 standards simply donโt 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.
WHATโS NEXT
HB2374 was referred to the House Education Committee where it must pass by a majority vote before moving forward in the legislative process.
- Ignorance and Freedom Cannot Coexist - March 19, 2026
- The Federal Government is Not the Boss - March 8, 2026
- One Step is a Step Too Far - February 28, 2026