Common Core Update: The Governor’s Recommendation to the State Board of Education
On August 12, 2015 Governor Asa Hutchinson sent a letter to the Arkansas State Board of Education with his final recommendations (found here) for Common Core Review. The Governor has recommended that the State Board follow the recommendations of the Common Core Executive Council (found here). This means that revisions of standards will follow a formal and public review, assessment, and public comment procedure. Specifically, the State Board is directed to (1) provide ample time to review and revise standards as needed, (2) change the name of the standards, if needed, (3) facilitate communication between the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), school districts, and parents regarding standards, (4) allow other bodies (e.g., legislature) to review recommendations as needed, and (5) safeguard student data.
Arkansans for Education Freedom wishes to thank Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin and the members of the Common Core Executive Council for their work on the list of recommendations they provided to the Governor. These recommendations are the outcome of many hours of hearings and town hall meetings around the state of Arkansas. We also wish to thank Governor Asa Hutchinson for his willingness to give careful consideration to the Council’s recommendations and submit those recommendations to the Arkansas State Board of Education and the ADE. We believe that this process, so far, has been the example of open public discourse that the citizens of Arkansas desire and deserve.
The work continues, with the ADE now being given the charge to review and revise standards. Arkansans for Education Freedom will be in close contact with all stakeholders in the process, and we currently have a meeting scheduled with Education Commissioner Johnny Key and Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin next week to discuss how the review and revision process will proceed. Writing, reviewing, or revising education standards can be a very long and arduous task, so diligence and patience will be required of all involved. We are appreciative of our elected leaders in Arkansas who have listened to the public’s concerns regarding education and we look forward to the opportunity to be involved in this process as it continues to unfold.
