With more complaints than big ideas being heard, supporters and opponents are wondering what happens next in regard to Common Core.<\/p>\n
While observers in Louisiana aren\u2019t predicting a court battle just yet, that\u2019s an avenue that\u2019s bubbled to the surface in other states, such as New York, where a class action lawsuit has been mentioned by parents in Wappingers Falls.<\/p>\n
In Wisconsin, the state school superintendent is threatening to sue as well if lawmakers repeal Common Core standards next time they meet.<\/p>\n
During a presentation in D.C., former Louisiana superintendent of education Paul Pastorek compared the ongoing debate to a time when high-stakes tests were implemented here in the late \u201890s \u2014 a move that brought on a round of lawsuits.<\/p>\n
Whiteboard Advisors, a Washington-based policy consulting practice, issued a report recently that stated national education \u201cinsiders\u201d are split on whether Louisiana will eventually pull out. These educators note there are a \u201cvariety of influential voices for and against the Common Core assessments, but (insiders) think some putative allies may be doing harm to proponents of the standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aside from state Education Superintendent John White, BESE chairman Chas Roemer is quickly becoming the face of Louisiana\u2019s proponent effort. Considering his political ambitions \u2014 the latest include rumors he\u2019s eyeing the 6th Congressional District \u2014 his front and center role may also mean he has the most to lose in all of this. The start of the 2014 regular session will tell how much, and is probably the answer to the question of what happens next.<\/p>\n
Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, who\u2019s been holding town hall meetings on the topic, said he has a package of bills in the works. He said he\u2019s heard many concerns from educators and parents about being locked out of the process by White and Roemer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a severe lack of trust there and I can\u2019t do anything to fix that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But what he can do is prepare legislation to give local school officials more control over content and curriculum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should be able to decide on textbooks and things like that. I\u2019m still fleshing out the idea,\u201d Schroder told LaPolitics.<\/p>\n
Another of his bills may focus on data-sharing and what the Dept. of Education is allowed to collect. Other lawmakers are looking at how much should be spent implementing Common Core and how parents can have a voice in the process.<\/p>\n
Legislation is also expected from Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, who wants to pull Louisiana out of Common Core altogether.<\/p>\n
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Maginnis and Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.<\/em><\/p>\n With more complaints than big ideas being heard, supporters and opponents are wondering what happens next in regard to Common Core. While observers in Louisiana aren\u2019t predicting a court battle just yet, that\u2019s an avenue that\u2019s bubbled to the surface in other states, such as New York, where a class action lawsuit has been mentioned [&hellip<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":277,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[135,63,62,32],"yoast_head":"\n