Anti-Common Core bill filed in FL Senate

Sen. Evers
Sen. Evers

From the News Service of Florida:

A Senate measure filed Wednesday mirrors an earlier House bill aimed at ending the state’s use of the Common Core education standards.

The Senate proposal (SB 1316), like its House companion (HB 25), would try to cripple the standards by requiring the State Board of Education to meet certain requirements before moving forward with the English and math benchmarks and would specifically bar the board from implementing common core in any other subject areas.

It’s unclear whether the bills, filed by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, will be heard. The State Board of Education voted earlier this month to amend the guidelines for what students are expected to learn in each grade, and Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said they should now be referred to as the “Florida standards.”

While supported by the Obama Administration, the Common Core initiative started out as a project spearheaded by governors and school chiefs across the country. But it has prompted a backlash, largely among conservative activists who fear that it is a federal effort to seize control of education.


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BY Special to NextSteps