Education

Common Core Bill Dies in House Education Committee

March 12th, 2014

The Georgia House Education Committee Wednesday rejected a bill aimed at separating the state from the Common Core education standards. The original bill was sponsored by Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick.

Listen to the broadcast version of this story.

Senate Bill 167 had an easy time in the Senate. It sailed through the Senate education committee. Then it easily passed on the Senate floor, with little discussion.

But when it got to the House, its momentum slowed down. Lauren Fralick, of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, was just one of the bill’s opponents who spoke at a House Education Committee hearing last week.

“Not enough of our students are graduating high school ready for college or careers,” she said. “Only 71% of our students graduate high school on time. Only 23% are ready for college across math, reading, English, and science.”

After three hours of testimony, the committee amended the bill. But at a press conference Wednesday, Ligon withdrew his support. He said the substitute bill lacked some essential principles.

“The bill needs to make it clear that we’re not going to participate in nationalized standards, that Georgia will retain the ability to control what is going to be taught in its classrooms,” he said.

Between the press conference and the afternoon committee vote, Ligon produced a substitute bill of his own. The committee only voted on that bill and didn’t introduce the House version.

There was no testimony, only questions from the committee. But Rep. Alisha Morgan, D-Austell, who’s also a Democratic candidate for state superintendent, took the opportunity to gently admonish some of her colleagues.

“I have to say, that as we get ready to take this vote, that I hope that we’ll take the politics out of this issue,” Morgan said. “It’s been very disappointing to see some of the discussion. And while I respect a lot of the work that has happened, and respect the individuals that have worked on this, kids are at the end of this decision.”

The committee voted down the bill 13-5. Afterwards, Ligon said he was disappointed, but not defeated.

“I think this is part of the legislative process, that people have different understandings and ideals, and sometimes the discussion takes longer than a few weeks and a committee hearing,” Ligon said.

The committee also carried a Do Not Pass Recommendation, meaning the bill is likely dead for this session. Ligon said he’ll consider his options before deciding whether to take up the issue again next year.