Committee To Try To Block Common Core Standards

Conservative Republicans are pushing to overhaul Kansas’ school curriculum with a bill blocking the Common Core standards.

The House Education Committee held a hearing Monday on the bill, which would bar any school district from adopting curriculums developed by entities outside of the state. Common Core has been adopted by 44 states, but critics have objected to it as inflexible and say it usurps local school decision-making.

Republican Rep. Ron Highland of Wamego, who chairs the committee, says he has seen a rising tide of constituents opposed to the standards.

But Democratic Rep. Ed Trimmer of Winfield said that bill could have unintended consequences like blocking advanced placement courses and instruction preparing students for college entrance exams.

Republican lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to block the standards during the previous legislative session.