Today Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed the Common Core pause legislation that requires the Indiana State Board of Education to hold three public hearings on the Common Core State Standards and have a fiscal impact study completed by 2014.
“I have long believed that education is a state and local function and we must always work to ensure that our students are being taught to the highest academic standards and that our curriculum is developed by Hoosiers, for Hoosiers,” Pence said in a released statement. “The legislation I sign today hits the pause button on Common Core so Hoosiers can thoroughly evaluate which standards will best serve the interests of our kids.’’
State Senator Scott Schneider (R-Indianapolis) who was the chief sponsor of the bill said, “Today Indiana takes a crucial step in deciding the future of our participation in Common Core. There will be heavy review and scrutiny of Common Core over the next six months. It is my hope we can come out of these study committee meetings with a clear understanding of the level of federal involvement in education policy in Indiana, and a dedication to setting the best standards in the country.”
Heather Crossin, co-founder of Hoosiers Against Common Core, responded to today’s news,”We believe this is a historic day, not just because it marks what we hope will be the beginning of the end for Common Core in Indiana, but because it proves that our American system of government still works. Against all odds, with no funding, the will of the People prevailed. It prevailed against hundreds of of dollars of paid advertising, a slew of paid lobbyists, and numerous powerful organizations like the Chamber of Commerce.”
“Unlike those with corporate interests at stake, our only stake in this game is our children’s education and ultimately their futures. Opponents of HB1427 fought vigorously all to prevent Common Core from being reviewed in the light of day. There seems to be only one reason for this – the Common Core emperor wears no clothes. The slogans and rhetoric that were used to sell the Common Core simply don’t hold up under close scrutiny,” Crossin added. “We are hopeful that Governor Pence, with his upcoming appointments to the State Board of Education, will decide to lead Indiana into a new direction where local control of education will be restored.”
Emmett McGroarty with American Principles in Action said, “With this legislation the people of Indiana have stepped forward to reclaim their sacred right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. This is a new breath of liberty for America.”
Erin Tuttle, co-founder of Hoosiers Against Common Core, stated, “This bill is a victory for the will of the people of Indiana. We were outspent and outmanned, but the will of the People prevailed which proves the system can work. Hoosiers still have a home at the Indiana Statehouse where their opinions are respected.”
Photo provided by Erin Tuttle.
Update: I had to update this post because I learned the bill had been amended to say three public hearings instead of a public hearing in each of Indiana’s congressional districts. It was said this was done for fiscal purposes, but I believe it limits who may be able to attend these public hearings.