Education rally to protest Common Core State Standards
Protesters back bill allowing districts to opt out
As school districts across California prepare for the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, a concerned group of citizens is holding a rally at the state Capitol to protest the new requirements.
Hundreds are expected at the 10 a.m. rally on the southeast side of the Capitol building.
The event is organized by Democrats Against Common Core, Californians United Against Common Core and Eagle Forum of California.
The groups call the new standards a privately backed, federal takeover of the state-run education system.
California is among 45 states that have adopted the standards designed to establish nationwide objectives for all schools.
Backers of the new standards said until now, there has not been a way to make sure students from different districts and different states were meeting the same education goals.
Protesters scheduled Wednesday's rally just ahead of an Education Committee hearing at 1:30 p.m.
Assembly Bill 2307 will be heard at the hearing. The bill would give local school districts the option to opt out of the Common Core Standards that are to be implemented by the 2014-15 school year.
Protesters argue implementation of the standards will cost $1.6 billion.
California State Superintendent Tom Torlakson said the standards are designed to make sure students across the state and the nation are held to the same standards that encourage critical thinking.
"Instead of the old bubble test, we’re measuring critical thinking, problem solving, good communication skills, it’s heading in the right direction and then CA adopted its own reforms, the governor’s local control funding formula, which invest more resources to the districts that need the help the most," said Torlakson.
Lydia Gutierrez is on the list of speakers at the Capitol rally. She is running against Torlakson for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
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