Bridenstine Statement on Common Core
Bridenstine released the following statement today as Oklahomans rally at the State Capitol in opposition to Common Core:
Sheryl Kaufman, Communications Director
Washington, DC, February 17, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congressman Jim Bridenstine commented:
“Nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government a role in education. There is a role for government in education, but that role is at the state and local level. Many states, including Oklahoma, voluntarily agreed to choose one of several promised sets of standards as a condition of eligibility for federal grants, but then only the Common Core standard was approved by the federal Department of Education. This was a classic example of the federal government taking over rights and responsibilities through the lure of federal funds. Decisions about education should be left with those who know and care most about the child — the parents and the local school board. I am opposed to federal, centralized control of education.
“I am cosponsoring legislation (HR 4008) to prohibit federal incentives, mandates, or control of content, standards, or assessments in education. I am also cosponsoring a House Resolution (H Res 476) denouncing the President’s coercion of states into adopting Common Core.”
— 30 —
Congressman Bridenstine…I heartily applaud your stance on Common Core. I hope others in the house will follow your lead. It is not a program that has been proven, and in fact, seriously diminishes the educational ideal. If we give up local control in preference to a federal or entity-driven agenda we yield to exploitation of the students. –Recent Candidate for TPS School Board, District 7.