PHOENIX (Feb. 24, 2015) – Yesterday, an Arizona House Committee voted 6-1 to pass a bill that would ban Common Core in the state.
Introduced by State Reps. Mark Finchem (R-11), Brenda Barton (R-6), Jay Lawrence (R-23), and Noel W. Campbell (R-1), House Bill 2190 (HB2190) would prohibit the state board of education from adopting or implementing Common Core standards in the state. It would also render null and void any previous implementations of these standards.
The bill passed successfully through the House Education Committee by a 5-2 margin on Feb. 18. Today, the House Rules Committee approved the bill with a 6-1 vote, sending the bill to the House floor for further consideration.
HB2190 would strike a dagger through the heart of the federally-recommended educational plan that some believe would jeopardize local control over schools. The bill reads, in part:
The state board of education is the sole authority for adopting academic content standards for this state’s public schools and shall adopt academic content standards of the state board’s choosing. An official of this state, whether appointed or elected, may not join any consortium, association or other entity on behalf of this state or a state agency if the membership would require this state to cede any measure of control over education, including academic content standards and assessments of those standards.
The bill also contains provisions pertaining to revisions of the state academic content standards. In which the state board of education must hold a public meeting in each congressional district prior. There is also language specifically stating that a school district, school or charter school is not required to use any statewide academic standards adopted by the state board of education as a condition for approval to operate or for receiving state monies.
Rejecting nationalized education standards is the first steps toward bringing true academic choice, and freedom. Passage of this legislation would represent a positive step forward for the people of Arizona and a path for other states to follow.
ACTION STEPS
For Arizona: Take steps to support HB2190 HERE
For other states: Take measures to fight Common Core in your state HERE
