Common Core Standards to be addressed at House Committee hearing at MSSU

Controversy over the impending implementation of Common Core Standards, both in Missouri and across the United States, is becoming a major story in education and it will be addressed by the House Interim Committee on Education during a hearing at Missouri Southern State University 7 to 10 p.m. September 25.

"I am seeing a lot more people with a lot of concerns about Common Core," committee member Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, told the Turner Report. "People are concerned about Common Core bypassing local school boards and local teachers' being able to create curriculum."

The grass roots movement against Common Core Standards is growing, Davis said. "I am seeing a lot of concern from parents and teachers.'

Davis was one of several legislators who attended a recent informational meeting at East Newton High School about Common Core Standards. The East Newton R-6 Board of Education is scheduled to decide tonight whether to adopt a resolution expressing concerns with Common Core.

In addition to East Newton, an informational meeting has been scheduled for August 15 at the Newmac Electric Building in Neosho, and efforts are being made to gauge the interest of having such a meeting in Joplin.

Common Core Standards have been designed with the idea of being able to compare student performance across the country, something that has not been possible under the current system with each state having its own tests and standards.

Among the criticisms of Common Core Standards is that they will bring on an increase in standardized tests and teaching to the test and they will take away from local control over schools.