Tim Jones addresses Common Core legislation

(In a portion of his latest newsletter, Speaker of the House Tim Jones, R-Eureka, talks about the House's actions this week on anti-Common Core Standards legislation. One thing I do not understand is how they can use the reasoning that the districts have already spent money implementing Common Core as one reason why they opted for a compromise. If Common Core Standards are wrong for Missouri, it does not matter how much money was spent on them.)

As I have mentioned in previous reports, one of the most contentious issues before the legislature this year deals with the Common Core standards handed down to our schools by the federal government. Both here in our district and in other parts of the states where I have traveled, I have heard from both parents and teachers who are frustrated by these standards that are meant to help prepare our children for future success, but too often result in headaches and confusion for both education professionals and students.

As we discussed the issue further we realized that many districts have already invested time and money into putting the standards in place. We, therefore, opted to approve a bill that would take a reasoned approach by analyzing the impact of Common Core and moving our state toward an enhanced level of local control of education.

The bill we approved would create a committee to extensively study the Common Core standards and to develop our own Missouri-based assessment standards. Specifically, the bill would allow Missouri school districts to proceed with testing students with the current standards, but it also would protect the districts and teachers from being penalized if students perform poorly in the assessments. This change would ensure we take a cautious approach to these standards rather than diving in headfirst. In the meantime, a work group made up of parents, elected officials and education professionals would work to develop Missouri’s own academic performance standards to present to the State Board of Education by October of next year. By the 2016-2017 school year, the State Board of Education would be responsible for placing the new standards in place.

With this compromise, we feel that have a good approach that will alleviate the worries of the many Missourians who have issues with the Common Core standards. Missouri school districts will be able to move ahead as planned for the coming school year, but we also will be on a path toward ensuring we have assessment standards written by Missouri teachers and parents who best understand the needs of Missouri students.