Bill would require hearings on Common Core Standards

In one of the items in his latest report, Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, addresses SB 210, which requires hearings on Common Core Standards before they are implemented:

Another bill moving through the Missouri Senate that has been set aside for future consideration in the upper chamber is SB 210, which would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to conduct at least one public hearing in each Missouri congressional district prior to the full implementation of the Common Core State Standards. At least two weeks prior to the first of the public hearings, DESE would need to perform a fiscal analysis of the projected cost to the state and school districts of the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. 

These standards are defined as an initiative to establish a single set of educational standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in the subjects of English language arts and mathematics. States may voluntarily adopt these standards in their educational systems; DESE adopted the Common Core State Standards in 2010, but they won’t be fully implemented until the 2014 school year. Many Missourians aren’t familiar with the Common Core State Standards, and it’s vital they are aware of the changes that could take place in their children’s schools. I have serious concerns about the entire program. Some of my colleagues and I are concerned about the gathering of unnecessary information on students (due to the new assessments on students included in the program), in addition to the program’s costs. A one-size-fits-all education plan encouraged by the federal government needs to be researched and isn’t necessarily the best fit for Missouri. The Common Core State Standards fail to address specific needs of individual states, and with so many unanswered questions with regard to students’ information, SB 210 is a helpful tool to examine the best options for Missouri students.