A special legislative panel will take a closer look at the use of Common Core education standards in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin adopted Common Core in 2010, which sets benchmark performance levels for math and language arts in public schools. State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) wants to review that decision, and see “whether this is truly the direction that we want to head in the state of Wisconsin, because this is going to be potentially used by generations of students to come and we want to make sure that we get it right.”
Thiesfeldt has been named chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Common Core Standards. The Fond du Lac Republican says the panel will give lawmakers a chance to better understand Common Core and allow the public an opportunity to weigh in on its use. Critics of Common Core argue it limits the ability of school districts to set their own policies.
AUDIO: Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (:35)
Governor Scott Walker this week indicated that he would be in favor of adopting education standards that are actually tougher than Common Core. Thiesfeldt says he wants to “do what’s best for Wisconsin, and if that is something that is stronger than what Common Core is right now, then we should head in that direction.”
AUDIO: Gov. Scott Walker (:10)
The Assembly committee and its Senate counterpart will hold a joint hearing on the issue next Thursday at the state Capitol.
