Legislative Session 2014

It is that time of year when the Alabama State Legislature meets to tackle the challenges of our state government. Many bills related to public education are usually introduced along with budget talks that directly affect how our educational system is funded. This year, the Common Core and the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) will be discussed. The CCRS is the curriculum developed by the state of Alabama to prepare students for their future that is aligned with the Common Core.

I am not an expert on the Common Core and so much of the discussion has been political that it is hard to know what to believe.  I have been to several meetings concerning the Common Core and from talking with numerous respected educators I fully endorse the Common Core and the CCRS. The Common Core was not developed by the federal government but by collaboration at the state level. The federal government endorsed the Common Core and linked some funding to it in order to encourage states to adopt the standards and that is when the political storm began.

Regardless of how you feel about the CCRS or the Common Core there will certainly be many more issues related to public education addressed during this legislative session. I encourage each of you to stay abreast of the proposed bills and to make contact with your local legislators according to your beliefs. I believe in public education and the value of an educated citizenry and I hope our state continues to support public education. In my opinion, a good public education system can be a great asset to our state economically and socially. I believe we owe it to our kids to ensure they receive an education that prepares them for the challenges they will face in their lives.