Ballard: OK Developing Own Ed Standards ‘Frightening’
Oklahoma Senate committee votes to abolish Common Core academic standards
By Randy Ellis
The state Senate Education Committee on Monday voted to pass a new version of a House bill that would abolish the state’s use of Common Core academic standards in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Fighting back tears, state Sen. Susan Paddack chastised senators for the way they have handled academic standards bills, saying lawmakers continue to make late-night decisions behind closed doors that have negative consequences for teachers and students.
“This bill was put together late on Friday,” said Paddack, D-Ada. “While a core group has been able to discuss this bill, this bill really has not seen the light of day. … It weighs heavily on me that we are making decisions every day that are affecting our children negatively.”
State Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, defended the bill.
“This bill was vetted by 101 House members. We have improved that version working with the original author. … We are letting the state board, through a three-year process, come up with some exceptional standards that we all agree need to be put in place.” The bill passed the committee 11-0 and will now go to the full Senate.