A state senate panel in South Carolina has voted against a bill that would block the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in math and reading. It will still be considered by the full committee, however.
The subcommittee voted 7-3 last week against the measure. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also weighed in last week in a letter critical of supporters of the bill. He noted that “South Carolina lowered the bar for proficiency in English and mathematics faster than any state in the country from 2005 to 2009,” according to federal data.
The state board of education in July 2010 adopted the standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. All but four states have adopted the standards, replacing guidelines that vary from state to state.
Opponents call it a nationalization of public education and say the state needs to maintain control. But supporters say they are a state-led effort to improve competitiveness.
Full implementation under the standards is set for 2014-15.
