“Common Core” could become one of the most debated issues in the upcoming Legislative session.
Rep. Jim Kasper (R-Fargo) is drafting legislation to stop the implementation of the common core standards in North Dakota schools – and replace them with North Dakota standards. Kasper claims Common Core is another attempt by the federal government to impose controls on local schools.
House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo) says he, too, doesn’t like federal involvement in local education.
"I honestly don't know enough about the curriculum itself," said Carlson. "But I'm really anti-federal government involvement in our educational system."
Carlson says he likes the idea of core standards, but he wants a "North Dakota" core.
"Education belongs to the states, not the federal government," said Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner (R-Dickinson). "I'm a 'states-man,' and I would say we don't need the federal government telling us how to do the tests and stuff like that."
State school superintendent Kirsten Baesler is a supporter of common core standards. She agrees that the federal government should not be involved in local education.
"What we need to do is rely on our North Dakota educators, and our North Dakota educational leaders," said Baesler. "They will determine what it is that our students need to know. And when we put the responsibility of making those decisions in the hands of our North Dakota leaders and teachers, we will be headed in a good direction."
Baesler says everyone should focus on what’s happening in North Dakota with common core – and not pay attention to what other states are doing.