Senate Approves Common Core Repeal
Oklahoma Senate approves Common Core repeal
By SEAN MURPHY, Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Republican-controlled Oklahoma Senate voted Tuesday to repeal a set of education standards for math and English known as Common Core and replace them with new ones that will be developed by the State Board of Education.
The Senate voted 37-10 for the bill, which now returns to the House for further consideration. The 68-page measure that was unveiled last week passed over the objection of some Democrats who argued it was too hastily assembled and would roll back progress that has been made on new standards designed to help students become more prepared for college and the workforce.
Oklahoma is among 45 states that have adopted the standards, which are part of an initiative of the National Governors Association. The standards were adopted by Oklahoma in 2010, but there has been growing opposition from conservative groups concerned about a federal takeover of state instructional standards.
“I believe this bill cuts the ties with the Common Core initiative in K-12,” said Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, who wrote the bill. “It brings back in line what Oklahoma wants, and that is sovereignty, control.”
Gov. Mary Fallin, currently the chair of the NGA, has said she supports the creation of new standards that “increase classroom rigor and accountability while guaranteeing that Oklahoma public education is protected from federal interference.”