The Columbus Dispatch reported yesterday that Ohio House Republicans introduced a new bill that would replace the Common Core State Standards.
The goal is to pass the bill one week after the November election, when the House reconvenes after breaking in early June, Huffman said.
“Speaker (William G.) Batchelder wanted to make clear … and I want to make clear the leadership in the House supports the repeal of these Common Core standards with the substitution of high standards and getting the federal government out of the business of education,” (State Representative Matt) Huffman said.
Rep. Andrew Thompson, R-Marietta, who has led the push to repeal Common Core in Ohio, said they are looking at other states with “proven standards” such as Massachusetts.
“We want to look at standards that are tested, proven and effective,” he said, calling it “ creepy” the way Common Core came to Ohio.
Ohioans Against Common Core recapped the process laid out by State Representative Huffman.
- Introduction of new repeal legislation that builds upon Sub HB237 and incorporates solutions to address the complexities of repeal experienced by other states
- Assignment of the legislation to the Rules and Reference Committee under the direction of Chairman Huffman
- Sponsor and first round of supporting testimony planned for August 12th
- Supporting testimony continues the week of August 18th
- An expeditious path to bring the legislation to the House Floor for a vote
Heidi Huber of Ohioans Against Common Core released a statement that was read during a press conference held.
As leader of Ohioans Against Common Core, I welcome the path outlined today by Speaker Pro Tempore, Matt Huffman, to prioritize legislation he has jointly sponsored with Representative Andy Thompson that will advance Ohio’s Common Core repeal effort.
Ohio parents, concerned teachers and citizens have worked tirelessly since early 2013 educating friends, neighbors and communities about the dire consequences of Common Core – chief among these, the destruction of local control. The process detailed today for Ohio’s new repeal legislation is clear validation of the intensifying concerns surrounding Common Core and acknowledges the efforts of Ohio citizens to protect their parental authority in public education.
Representative Thompson’s new bill will thoroughly address the complexities involved with an effective, comprehensive repeal of Common Core. This new legislation will build upon Sub HB237 and address issues such as:
Ohioans Against Common Core wishes to recognize both Rep. Andy Thompson’s unwavering efforts to fight the battle against Common Core, and Rep. John Adams’ draft and circulation of the Discharge Petition. Their efforts have advanced our cause to protect Ohio’s children, parents and education system from the imminent centralization and nationalization of public education that is the Common Core State Standards initiative.
We look forward to partnering with our Representatives and House leadership to bring this new bill to a vote on the House floor, giving every Ohioan the ability to help restore the educational autonomy of their state.
Update: Governor John Kasich is on the record about the bill.  The Columbus Dispatch reports “I share the concern about loss of local control.  That’s why we took actions in the MBR to address some of those.  If there are more things that need to be done and we’re seeing an erosion of local control, then we’d have to address it. Their concern is who’s in control of the schools? And I’m always concerned about that.”
He was also asked if he was reconsidering his support of Common Core and he replied, “no I’m not saying that at all.”
He then stated, “let them have their hearings and we’ll see what all of this is.”
How generous of him. Â It’s going to be an uphill climb in Ohio.