June 10, 2013
Unfortunately, our fight to stop the implementation of the Common Core Standards (CCS) in Kansas failed June 1st.
After a flurry of activity, the Senate passed a budget that would have prevented funding of the Next Generation Science Standards and would have created a joint committee to study the Standards and its fiscal impact.
Although this provision produced by the Senate would have delayed implementation of CCS, this watered-down version would have still failed to restore control to Kansas parents and school boards.
The bill passed the Senate but failed in the House by a vote of 53-58.
We will not stop fighting. In fact, we intend to push for a full repeal or defunding instead of continuing to allow our legislators to get by with these mediocre attempts at restoring local control to education.
Below are the details for an opportunity to speak out against Common Core at the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on June 11th. You can find details about the upcoming meeting here. You can also live-stream the meeting from that link.
This is a very important meeting as board members are scheduled to vote on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). We want to encourage the SBOE to delay this vote until more information about the Standards is shared and discussed. Although NGSS is not being referred to as “Common Core,” the standards were written by Achieve, Inc., — the entity that developed and promoted the Common Core Standards. Read about NGSS here.
The Citizens Open Forum starts at 10:30 am, when you will have the opportunity to address the board for 3 minutes. We highly encourage you to do so. We are told that last month there were 17 citizens speaking against Common Core, and only one, a lobbyist, speaking in support.
We must continue to educate about the dangers of the Common Core State Standards Initiative!
Take Action!
Please e-mail your State Legislators here about their vote on delaying implementation of the Common Core Standards.
Further Reading:
- Backlash Against Common Core
- Articles from the American Principles Project
- RNC Resolution Against Common Core
Common Core Standards Vote
Yes Vote:
I am writing to thank you for your June 1st vote on the Senate Substitute for HB 2391.
This legislation contained language that would have delayed some implementation and required a study of the effects that the Common Core Standards might have on Kansans.
This big-government, top-down approach to education, found in the ideology behind Common Core, is not good for students and the future of Kansas.
Although this bill would have been one step toward returning control of education to parents and local school districts, we need stronger actions to be taken by the Kansas State Legislature.
We know that Kansas cannot depend on the federal government to look out for the best interests of our children, so please defend Kansans by taking a strong stand against the implementation of the Common Core Standards.
No Vote:
I am writing to you because of your June 1st vote on the Senate Substitute for HB 2391 and am asking your to reconsider your position on the issue.
This legislation contained language that would have delayed some implementation and required a study of the effects that the Common Core Standards might have on Kansans.
This big-government, top-down approach to education, found in the ideology behind the Common Core, is not good for students and the future of Kansas.
We know that Kansas cannot depend on the federal government to look out for the best interests of our children, so please defend Kansans by taking a strong stand against the implementation of the Common Core Standards.
Did not vote:
I am writing because I noticed you did not vote on the Senate Substitute for HB 2391 on June 1st.
This legislation contained language that would have delayed some implementation and required a study of the effects that the Common Core Standards might have on Kansans.
This big-government, top-down approach to education is not good for students and the future of Kansas, and I hope that you will consider taking the same position.
Although this bill would have been one step toward returning control of education to parents and local school districts, we need stronger actions to be taken by the Kansas State Legislature.
We know that Kansas cannot depend on the federal government to look out for the best interests of our children, so please defend Kansans by taking a strong stand against the implementation of the Common Core Standards.