Alabama voters to decide on abolishing elected school board
If the measure passes, Kay Ivey will appoint all nine members of the new Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education.
Will Ainsworth: Common Core is a failed, Obama-era relic that must come to a quick and immediate end
Alabama took a strong step toward independence in its public schools this week when the State Senate approved legislation to repeal the Obama-era curriculum mandates known by most as Common Core. Everyone agrees that Alabama needs strict academic standards that our children must meet. It is vital to economic development, it is vital to our workforce development, and it is vital to our children’s future success. Where we differ in the Common Core debate is who should set those standards. I believe Alabamians should determine the curriculum and standards for our state’s schoolchildren based upon our available resources, our needs, and our first-hand knowledge of what makes Alabama great. We should not rely upon some out-of-state entity or liberal, Washington, D.C. bureaucrats to determine our standards, and we certainly should not continue embracing this most damaging legacy of the disastrous Obama administration. When Thomas Jefferson said, “The government closest to the people serves the people best,” he understood that a top-down approach and governing from afar denies the important knowledge and details that those on the local level possess. Perhaps the most asinine theory behind Common Core mandates is the cookie cutter approach it takes to schools across our nation. Rather than recognizing and accounting for the differences among the states, their workforce needs, and the public educations they should offer, Common Core demands an across-the-board, one-size-fits-all mandate that is typical of liberal policy pronouncements. Moreover, the public schools in a politically conservative state like Alabama, where character education and allowing students to acknowledge God are important, are vastly different from the schools in ultra-liberal cities like San Francisco and New York City, where educators consider themselves enlightened and the groupthink doctrine of political correctness dominates. But, in the end, the most effective argument for repealing Common Core is the fact that it has proven to be an unmitigated failure. When Alabama first adopted Common Core roughly a decade ago, advocates labeled it as the cure-all for our public education system, but the magic elixir they promised has proven to be just a worthless bottle of snake oil. Prior to the adoption of Common Core, Alabama’s students ranked at or near the bottom in almost every education metric that was tested, and, a decade later today, our state still ranks 49th in math and 46th in reading. For these stated reasons and too many others to detail, it is time for Alabama to abandon this liberal social experiment and chart its own, independent path toward success in education – one that is rooted in conservative principles and one that embraces long-proven, fundamental teaching concepts. Sen. Del Marsh (R – Anniston), who filed the legislation, and the co-sponsors of his bill should be commended for working to end this unnecessary Obama-era relic. Dropping the gavel when the repeal of Common Core passed the State Senate was one of the happiest and most satisfying moments of my time in public service. Will Ainsworth is the Lt. Governor of Alabama.
Scott Dawson stresses evangelist background, outsider status
Republican gubernatorial hopeful and evangelist Scott Dawson said if people are surprised to see him running for governor, they are not alone. In a way, he is too. Dawson said he got in the governor’s race because he was tired of the state being embarrassed by corruption, noting the number of recent governors involved in scandals. He said he sees his newness to the political arena as an advantage, not a hindrance. “I’m one of us. I’m not a politician. The competitive advantage I’ve got is that everyone else is serving in office. I’m the one that’s been one of us for 30 years,” Dawson said. Dawson is one of three Republicans, along with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and state Sen. Bill Hightower, challenging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey in the June 5 Republican primary. Speaking at a lunchtime gathering at a senior center in Jasper, Dawson said some will argue the state needs a “seasoned politician” or a businessman as governor. “I am convinced more than ever before, Alabama needs a leader. Alabama needs someone who can cast a vision,” he said. Dawson, 50, is a native of Ensley and graduated from Samford University and Beeson Divinity School. He is the founder of the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association. The organization, among other things, hosts youth and pastor retreats and large-scale Christian revival meetings. “I’ll go ahead and tell you I make decisions through a Biblical world view,” Dawson told the crowd in Jasper, adding quickly that he understands “we’re not creating a theocracy” and respects those of different beliefs. While trailing far behind in monetary donations, Dawson’s underdog campaign has been assisted by prominent friends made during his decades in ministry, and whose names he mentions in his campaign speech. He announced his intention to run on the Rick and Bubba Show, a syndicated morning radio show; has turned to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for advice; and received donations from Hobby Lobby co-founders David and Barbara Green. Dawson said he supports legislation that would take Alabama “out of the marriage business” by doing away with probate judge-signed marriage licenses. He said he also supports the repeal of the Common Core curriculum standards and would like to implement mandatory drug testing for students seeking to be involved in extracurricular activities. Asked about education funding, Dawson responded that he thought the state has a “leadership issue” and not a “funding issue.” However, Dawson said he has declined to sign a no new taxes pledge. Dawson made the decision to run in early 2017, thinking that he would be running for an open seat. Instead, Ivey became governor after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned in scandal. She is seeking a full term after a year of holding office. Dawson has criticized Ivey’s decision not to attend debates with her primary challengers, saying that she should be “vetted” for the position since she wasn’t previously elected governor. Ivey’s campaign has said she is focused on official duties, and that her record is open to voters and the media. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Education Committee stalls on Common Core repeal, OKs another graduation requirement
The Senate Education and Youth Affairs Committee met Wednesday morning to discuss three bills. The first item up for discussion was a bill from Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville), SB61, which provides all professional educators’ organizations equal access to employees of the public school district. The bill garnered a favorable report quickly, with the only opposition coming from Sen. Quinton Ross (D-Montgomery), a former educator. The committee quickly moved on to SB89, a bill brought forth by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) to mandate a civics test as part of the state’s graduation requirements. The test is modeled after the national test given to immigrants looking to become citizens of the United States. Orr added an amendment to the bill, which was approved, to make the test only 50 questions, as opposed to the 100 on the national test. Sen. Dick Brewbaker (R-Montgomery), who serves as chair of the committee, confirmed that the test would be required for all public school students but would not be mandated to private school students. Private schools could decide whether or not to require students to take the test. Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma) was the first to voice opposition to the bill. “I’m concerned about this bill for several reasons,” Sanders said. “There’s a reason to give this test to naturalized citizens, there is no need to give this test to people who are already citizens.” Sanders also noted concern over an additional mandate being levied on schools and teachers, the abundance of which is already making teaching a “burden” rather than a “joyful vocation,” as well the risk of lowering Alabama’s graduation rate because of an additional requirement for graduation. Ross also chimed in with opposition, noting his disdain for an additional mandate on students and adding that he would like to see a requirement to teach the ins and outs of voting, as well as a requirement that all high school students register to vote. “This is going to be a simple test,” Orr replied. “It’s fundamental that our students understand and realize the history of our country.” Ross again voiced concern over the fear that an additional exam would force educators to “teach the test,” as well as concerns that the new civics test would not include black history. Orr replied that the test would comply with current curriculum standards and individual school districts would be able to customize the test to their standards. Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) was last to voice opposition to the bill, noting that there should be a requirement that all Alabama legislators pass the test before students are forced to take it, a feat she believes would not be readily accomplished. A vote was called for and the bill received a favorable report by a six to three margin. The most exciting element up for discussion Wednesday, SB60, was thwarted due to the absence of the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Rusty Glover (R-Mobile). The bill would eliminate Common Core curriculum standards in the state and revert back to the curriculum used before the institution of the new standards. Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) added an amendment to the bill, which he had discussed with Glover previously, that would allow individual school districts to choose whether or not to abolish Common Core. The amendment was adopted and Marsh noted that he has always “been in support of the rigorous standards of our schools.” No vote was taken and the bill will be carried over to a later education committee hearing.
Latest bills to hit Alabama Legislature address Common Core, alcohol and tax breaks
With the 2016 legislative session under way, a slew of bills have been filed and are making the rounds through various committees of the Alabama Legislature. Several of those bills are aimed at tackling House and Senate Republicans’ recently announced legislative agendas, including bills to add Alabama’s status as a “Right to Work” state to the state’s Constitution (HB37), a bill declaring the sell of fetal tissue illegal (HB45), tax credits for state ports (HB34) and small businesses (HB36) and a bill aimed at providing broadband Internet to rural areas of the state (HB41). Rep. Alan Boothe (R-Troy) has filed HB46, which will allow Alabama distilleries to sell up to 750 milliliters, commonly referred to as a “fifth,” to customers for off-premise consumption annually. The bill comes after the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Study Commission made several recommendations a few weeks ago to put the state on an even keel with other states. Rep. Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa) has offered a bill, HB47, that would allow for warrantless arrests of people found trespassing on school property in “certain conditions.” Current law states that officers may arrest citizens without a warrant in multiple cases, including if the officer has “reasonable cause to believe” a felony or misdemeanor has been committed. This bill simply adds trespassing on educational premises to that clause. In the Senate, Sen. Rusty Glover (R-Mobile) has filed a bill, SB60, which will repeal Common Core curriculum standards in the state and revert back to Math and English courses used before the adoption of the new standards. Further, the bill would restrict the Alabama Department of Education from “adopting or implementing” any national standards or “requiring the use of any assessments” associated with a national program. Contrary to the call in Glover’s bill, Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) stated during Wednesday’s agenda announcement that curriculum decisions should be left up to the state school board and, should the repeal get through committee, there is likely not enough votes to pass it. The legislature will reconvene Tuesday at 9 a.m. when those bills which have made it through committee, including two child abuse sentencing bills addressed in the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, will inch closer to seeing their day on the floor.
Marco Rubio super PAC goes after Chris Christie in 2 new ads
According to an average of polling in New Hampshire compiled by Real Clear Politics, Marco Rubio is now at 13.3 percent support in New Hampshire, putting him 13 percentage points behind Donald Trump. That second place status is relatively tenuous, however, with Ted Cruz trailing him with an average of 12 percent, and Chris Christie two points behind, averaging 11.3 percent. Conservative Solutions PAC, a super PAC supporting Rubio’s presidential candidacy, is now going after the New Jersey governor in two new ads that surfaced Monday. One of them goes after Christie regarding his management of the Garden State. Titled, “Look at Me,” the ad bashes Christie for mismanaging New Jersey, where he’s now beginning his third year of his second term in office. It lists a survey that says that New Jersey has the highest tax burden in the nation, last in job growth, and mentions the controversial incident known as “BridgeGate” that appeared at one point to doom Christie’s hopes for higher office. The other, called “Favorite,” blasts the Jersey governor for being a faux conservative. It begins by showing him with his infamous greeting of President Barack Obama just before the 2012 general election, when the president visited New Jersey shortly after Hurricane Sandy slammed the state. It goes on to attack Christie for supporting an Internet sales tax, Medicaid expansion, and Common Core. “One high-tax, Common Core, liberal energy loving, Obamacare Medicaid expanding president is enough,” the ad says at its conclusion. Christie did back Common Core standards back in 2013, but now says he “supports state educational standards over Common Core.” Conservative Solutions PAC spokesman Jeff Sadosky says the two ads are a “significant part of our multimillion dollar ongoing ad buy in New Hampshire, but yes, there is also a digital campaign that moves with the TV ads.”
Obama signs education law rewrite shifting power to states
Calling it a “Christmas miracle,” President Barack Obama signed a sweeping overhaul of the No Child Left Behind education law on Thursday, ushering in a new approach to accountability, teacher evaluations and the way the most poorly performing schools are pushed to improve. Joined by lawmakers, students and teachers in a White House auditorium, Obama praised the George W. Bush-era No Child Left Behind for having the right goals. He said that in practice, it fell short or applied a cookie-cutter approach that failed to produce desired results. Under the new law, the federal government will shift more decision-making powers back to states. “With this bill, we reaffirm that fundamentally American ideal that every child- regardless of race, gender, background, zip code – deserves the chance to make out of their lives what they want,” Obama said. “This is a big step in the right direction.” The overhaul ends more than a decade of what critics have derided as one-size-fits-all federal policies dictating accountability and improvement for the nation’s 100,000 or so public schools. But one key feature remains: Students will still take federally required statewide reading and math exams. Still, the new law encourages states to limit the time students spend on testing and diminishes the high stakes for underperforming schools. The long-awaited bill to replace the 2002 law easily passed the Senate on Wednesday and the House last week, in a rare example of the Republican-controlled Congress and Obama finding common ground on major legislation. Obama help it up as an “example of how bipartisanship should work,” noting that opposing sides had compromised to reach a deal. “That’s something that you don’t always see here in Washington,” Obama said. “There wasn’t a lot of grandstanding, a lot of posturing, just a lot of good, hard work.” Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., who chairs the House’s education panel, said under the new approach, American classrooms will no longer be “micromanaged” by the Education Department in Washington. “Instead, parents, teachers, and state and local education leaders will regain control of their schools,” said Kline, part of the bipartisan quartet that spearheaded the bill. Here’s how the major stakeholders fare: — TEACHERS The legislation eliminates the federal mandate that teacher evaluations be tied to student performance on the statewide tests. Teachers’ unions hated that idea, saying the high stakes associated with the tests were creating a culture of over-testing and detracting from the learning environment. States and districts will still be able to link scores or consider them as a factor in teacher performance reviews, but they will not be required to do so. “We will continue to be vigilant as work shifts to the states to fix accountability systems and develop teacher evaluation systems that are fair and aimed at improving and supporting good instruction,” Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said in a statement. — STUDENTS Don’t start applauding yet, kids. The nation’s 50 million students in public schools will still have to take the federally mandated statewide reading and math exams in grades three to eight and once in high school – so parents, teachers and others can see how they are doing against a common measuring stick. But the legislation also encourages states to set caps on the amount of time students spend on testing. More children from low- and moderate-income families will have access to preschool through a new grant program that is to use existing funding to support state efforts. — SCHOOLS No more Common Core – maybe. The bill says the federal government may not mandate or give states incentives to adopt or maintain any particular set of academic standards, such as Common Core. The college and career-ready curriculum guidelines were created by the states but became a flashpoint for those critical of Washington’s influence in schools. The administration offered grants through its Race to the Top program for states that adopted strong academic standards for students. Already, some states have begun backing away from the Common Core standards. — PARENTS The bill provides for more transparency about test scores, meaning parents and others in the community will get a better look at how students in their states and in local schools are doing. The legislation requires that test scores be broken down by race, family income and disability status. Parents also will be able to see how per-pupil funding breaks down by state, district and school. — STATES It’s now up to the states. States and districts will now be responsible for coming up with their own goals for schools, designing their own measures of achievement and progress, and deciding independently how to turn around struggling schools. Testing will be one factor considered, but other measures of success or failure could include graduation rates and education atmosphere. To make sure all children get a fair shot at a quality education, states will be required to intervene in the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools, in high schools with high dropout rates and in schools with stubborn achievement gaps. — DIMINISHED FEDERAL ROLE The measure would substantially limit the federal government’s role, barring the Education Department from telling states and local districts how to assess school and teacher performance. The measure also ends the waivers the Obama administration has given to more than 40 states – exemptions granted around the more onerous parts of No Child when it became clear that requirements such as having all students proficient in reading and math by 2014 would not be met. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Martha Roby: Patience pays off in defending state authority over education
Progress takes patience sometimes, I suppose. Two-and-a-half years ago, I introduced the “Defending State Authority Over Education Act” to stop once and for all the inappropriate federal coercion of states into adopting the Obama Administration’s “pet” policies, standards or curricula, including Common Core. I strongly support local control of education, and I said then my true goal was to build support for getting my “State Authority” language included in the overall rewrite of the badly-flawed “No Child Left Behind” law, which Congress has been working on for years. Initially we had success in the House, but the Democratic Senate wouldn’t touch it. With a change in Senate leadership after the last election, this year looked much more promising. We kept pushing and, this week, I’m pleased to confirm the good news: at long last, the final bill replacing “No Child Left Behind” does include our “State Authority” language strictly prohibiting the federal Department of Education from using funding grants, rule waivers or other means to coerce states or local boards in education decisions. This is a big win for parents, teachers, administrators and anyone who has been frustrated by the federal intrusion in education policy. The “Every Student Succeeds Act” replaces the nation’s current law with policies that reflect a more conservative, state-driven approach to education. The bill: Places new, unprecedented restrictions on the U.S. Secretary of Education, including my “State Authority” language prohibiting the Secretary and his agents from using money and rule waivers to coerce policy decisions; Eliminates the “Adequate Yearly Progress,” or “AYP” metric and return the responsibility for proficiency systems to the states where they belong; Eliminates or consolidates 49 ineffective, duplicative, and unnecessary programs, replacing them with the simple grants that providing states and school districts with more flexibility; Supports the start-up, replication and expansion of high-quality public charter schools, which Alabama can now access to support its recently-enacted charter school program. Of course, I would prefer that the bill go much further in severing ties between federal and state governments in education, and voted to support amendments doing just that. However, it would be foolish to sacrifice all the many good, important gains made in this bill simply because it doesn’t have everything I want. The Wall Street Journal calls this bill “the largest devolution of federal control to the states in a quarter-century.” As someone who has long fought for a more conservative approach, that’s exciting. Yes, it took a lot of time and effort to build support for this idea. But, I’m proud to have kept fighting despite initial setbacks. And, I’ll be even prouder when our “Defending State Authority” language is finally part of the nation’s new, conservative education law. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, Riley and their two children.
Bradley Byrne: Making Congress work again
If you listen to national media outlets, all you ever hear is how Congress is completely broken and dysfunctional. While that narrative is right at times, last week was a bright spot when it comes to working together and passing long-overdue reforms. The House and the Senate earlier this year each passed separate bills to set policy for our nation’s K-12 education system and to fund our highway system, respectively. Since different bills were passed, Conference Committees made up of both House and Senate members were formed to work out the differences. Well last week, these Conference Committees each reached consensus and put forward two conservative, reform-focused bills that were long overdue. Let’s first look at the education bill. As you may know, for the last decade, our education system has been governed by a law known as No Child Left Behind. While it was written with good intentions, this law put heavy mandates and requirements on our local schools. Our education system has struggled under this heavy, top-down approach. As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I have long advocated for getting the federal government out of our local schools. I want to see local teachers, parents, and administrators given more control. That’s exactly what we accomplished last week when we passed the Every Student Succeeds Act. This bill gets Washington bureaucrats out of the way and empowers local teachers, principals, and administrators. The legislation achieves these goals by reducing the federal government’s role in education and restoring control back to the states and local school districts – where it belongs. I hear a lot from parents in Southwest Alabama who are concerned about the Common Core standards. The Every Student Succeeds Act actually includes strong language prohibiting the federal Secretary of Education from influencing or coercing states into adopting Common Core. It makes clear that it is solely a state’s responsibility to set academic standards and assessments. This is a huge win for educators and students. The bill also repeals the one-size-fits-all federal accountability system known as “Adequate Yearly Progress” and allows states and school districts to set their own academic standards and testing requirements. Without these reforms, we would continue to allow the Obama Administration and the federal government to dictate education policy to the states. The Every Student Succeeds Act passed the House with broad bipartisan support, and the President is expected to sign the bill. The second major accomplishment last week was on a long-term highway bill. The bill, known as the FAST Act, represents the first highway bill lasting longer than two years since 2005. For over two years now I have called for a new, long-term highway bill so we could move forward with important highway projects in Southwest Alabama like building the I-10 bridge, improving Highway 98 in north Mobile County, and four laning Highway 45 in Washington County. The fiscally-responsible highway bill is fully paid for and rejects Democrats’ efforts to raise the gas tax. The bill also includes a new program for Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects, which can likely be used to help pay for the I-10 bridge project. The highway bill passed the House by a vote of 359 to 65 and the Senate by a vote of 83 to 16. Just like the education bill, the highway bill was a great example of Republicans and Democrats working together in a bipartisan way. Many serious issues still require urgent action, but I think it is important to realize that Congress is making progress on important national priorities like strengthening our education system and improving our nation’s highway system. Bradley Byrne is a member of the U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
As Jeb Bush campaigns, Florida struggles with his schools legacy
Jeb Bush‘s signature achievement in education policy as Florida governor may be at risk of coming apart. A champion of what became known as Common Core education standards, Bush pushed a set of high-stakes tests for students and a system of grading schools as the centerpiece of an education agenda that defines much of his legacy in office. In the Republican presidential campaign, any mention of Common Core is a red flag for conservatives and Bush rarely talks about the program by its name. But he has not backed down on what is the core of Common Core — the conviction that states need to raise their school standards. In Florida, a troubled rollout of new standardized testing linked to the standards has created a large enough backlash that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature agreed to spend nearly $600,000 to study whether the tests should continue. The study, released last month, affirmed the value of the tests. That’s done little to assuage critics and instead appears to be giving momentum to a push to junk the testing regimen that Bush put into place. School superintendents and parents are complaining loudly, and all that noise may begin to mar the “Florida model” that Bush talks about in his presidential campaign. “This state and its accountability program have been dealt severe blows in the past couple of years,” Miami Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told the state education board in September. “Sadly it has lost a lot of the credibility it once had with the public.” Bush’s ambitious plan called for using tests to measure student performance and to assign an A-to-F grade to schools that translated into financial rewards, or sanctions for low-performing schools. His initial plan also allowed students in poorly performing schools to receive private school vouchers, although that program was thrown out by the courts. Bush left office in 2007, but he remained an outsized influence over education policy thanks to former aides, advisers and allies who held key posts in the Legislature and on the state board that oversees education. Florida’s schools showed signs of improvement during Bush’s eight years as governor. Reading scores for eighth graders, for example, rose faster than scores nationally from 1998 to 2011, according to an analysis based on scores used for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card.” The state also saw improvements in math scores and in the performance of its black and Hispanic students. Florida’s graduation rate has steadily risen since Bush became governor, but remains below the national average. Like most other states, Florida initially embraced the Common Core standards in 2010. Then-State Board of Education Chairman T. Willard Fair, who had opened a charter school with Bush, called them the “vital next step on Florida’s long-standing and successful education reform journey.” Common Core was largely an initiative of state officials and is not a federal program or requirement. But when the Obama administration swung behind the effort and began giving financial incentives to states that adopted the standards, that meant, in effect, a penalty on states that didn’t. And that gave rise to complaints that Washington was intruding on education matters that should be left to state and local people. Bush tells crowds he does not favor federal interference in education but states must do better by students and stop “lowering expectations and dumbing down everything.” He says that whatever problems Florida is having now are not his responsibility. “We created accountability, school choice, ending social promotion and we executed faithfully on all these things and we got a great result,” Bush said Wednesday after a campaign event in Iowa. “If other circumstances change, it’s the responsibility of the people there to focus on these things. I don’t follow it every day but Florida is now out of the bottom, and we’ve had gains post-my time there.” Just as Bush has largely purged Common Core from his vocabulary, Florida legislators have removed all references to it in state law. In response to complaints from parents about onerous tests, they agreed to scale them back. But they’ve kept the bulk of the standards in place. Legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott pushed to have Florida back out of a consortium that was drawing up a national test tied to the standards. But that withdrawal left education officials scrambling to come up with a replacement. They turned to a test drawn up initially for Utah schools. Technical glitches and even a cyberattack marred the administration of the test in the spring. Students were confronted with blank screens when they tried to log on to take it. For grading schools and evaluating teachers, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart says Florida will still use this year’s scores because the recent study supports that move. Carvalho and other school superintendents are sharply criticizing that decision and want Florida to suspend the use of school grades this year, saying they have lost “confidence” in that system. Some legislators are now discussing replacing the test in high school grades with the SAT or ACT college exams. “The American public is fed up with Common Core testing, which then reinforces the distrust in who they perceive is responsible,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. State Sen. Don Gaetz, a self-proclaimed “Bush acolyte” who called for backing out of the national testing consortium when he was Senate president, said it’s wrong to “hang around Jeb Bush’s neck” the state’s current problems. “Nobody was able to mount a challenge to the validity of the assessment while Jeb Bush was governor,” said Gaetz. The problems “haven’t occurred because of Jeb Bush.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Marco Rubio says nation doesn’t need U.S. Education Department
Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio says the U.S. doesn’t need a federal Education Department. The Florida senator spoke at a town hall meeting of about 200 people on Tuesday in Carson City. He’s on a multi-stop tour of northern Nevada. Rubio says the department starts out by making suggestions, then turns them into mandates and forces schools to implement them in order to receive federal money. He says some of the department’s duties could be divided among other agencies. Rubio drew applause and cheers when he told his audience he doesn’t support the Common Core education standards. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Statewide grassroots leaders ask Governor to call education special session
Grassroots activists aren’t ready to give in on their attempt to repeal Common Core and change the states education system. Today they sent the following letter asking Gov. Robert Bentley to call an education special session to take up the bill that failed during regular session. Governor Robert Bentley, We the parents and concerned citizens of Alabama respectfully demand that you, the Governor of Alabama, call a Special Session of the Legislature, and request that SB101 and HB242 be revisited. You have repeatedly expressed to grassroots leaders and concerned parents working to repeal the Common Core Standards, that you were also opposed to them. Support of Common Core will be a dark mark on your legacy, and will also severely damage anyone with future political aspirations. You are calling for tax increases to balance the general budget, but you refuse to address the fact that Common Core will bankrupt the State of Alabama. No amount of federal dollars will stay this process. The “Repeal Common Core Battle Cry” will not stop. It is rampant throughout our country. The children of Alabama will not be easily surrendered to the untested mandates of the politick. We are giving you an opportunity to stand with us, the parents of Alabama, and prove you are still a man of your word. We await your answer. Make no mistake, we are not going away. Signed, Ann Eubank Co-Chair Rainy Day Patriots Zan Green Founder Rainy Day Patriots Dawn Ray, Shelby County Republican Women Bash Agricola, Montgomery Tea Party Dee Shirley, Shelby County Republican Women Dexter Bland, Calhoun County Rainy Day Patriots Steven D. Guede, Calhoun County Rainy Day Patriots Steve Henry, Oxford, AL Lou Campomenosi, Common Sense Campaign Kelly Berry, The Madison Institute Don and Kay Day, Mobile, AL Dee L. Voelkel Lee James, Sr. George Barry, Madison, AL Richard Schultz John Mahan Lei Peavy, Huntsville, AL Mike Parsons, Huntsville, AL Dr. Miles F. Jones, Fairhope, AL Mary Lynn and Charles P. Bailey, Gurley, AL Cathy Odom Steve and Irene Stone Janet Oglesby Priscilla J. Owens Roberta Burckardt Beverly Burks Kimberly Knight Alex Balkum James Giddens, Opelika, AL George B. Williams, Athens, AL Walter F. Gray, Daphne, AL Linda King Butch Daniel, Enterprise, AL Dianna Crews, Stand in the Gap Ron Hei Steve Johnson, Rainy Day Patriots
