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Assembly Education Committee Postpones Votes On Common Core, School Accountability

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Assembly Republicans are delaying votes that would close failing public schools and reverse course on the Common Core standards already being implemented in Wisconsin.

An expected committee vote on the Common Core standards and school accountability won’t take place for at least another week. Education Committee Chairman Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) says confusion over the bills has created what he calls a “firestorm.”

“This morning I wound up with a lot of the committee members in my office,” he said, “and my phone ringing off the hook and not sleeping well last night.”

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One big sticking point is whether failing schools — both public and private voucher — should be penalized. The state Senate passed a bill last week without sanctions. Kestell is now in talks with the Senate education committee chair, state Sen. Luther Olsen.

“In conversations with Senator Olsen over the last few days, [senators are] taking a look at our final product and saying, ‘That doesn’t look so bad,’” Kestell said. “So there’s an opportunity, if we take our time to get everybody on board.”

Another controversial issue is whether lawmakers should have more say in setting academic standards. In remarks made on YouTube, State School Superintendent Tony Evers says this change would politicize education.

“Do I think that’s a good idea? I think it’s just a horrible idea,” Evers said. “We need to stay the course. We need to implement these Common Core state standards that our teachers and others across the state and the country have worked on so very hard and are showing good results.”

Republicans object to Common Core reading and math standards adopted three years ago, claiming it is federal intrusion on local control of schools. Education experts point out the standards were developed in consultation with governors and state superintendents.