HARTFORD – House Republican Leader Larry Cafero today called upon Democrats to stage a full public hearing in the Education Committee on the controversial Common Core curriculum and teacher evaluation standards that have caused upheaval in state public schools.
Cafero, writing to the Democratic Chairs of the panel, said a full inquiry into the federally driven program must take place to allow educators, parents and anyone who wants to weigh in, vent their opinions and offer suggestions.
“We have heard from thousands of educators and parents outside the legislature on these matters. As lawmakers and their elected officials, we owe the public the chance to address these issues in a formal setting within the General Assembly,’’ Cafero said.
Cafero questioned why, after lawmakers have been deluged from the public, not a single bill regarding Common Core or teacher evaluations was raised by the Education Committee. He criticized the plan to hold an “informal hearing’’ where only invited speakers will be allowed to speak.
House Democratic Chairman Andrew Fleischmann today affirmed no bills will be raised.
“This is exactly why teachers, administrators, parents and their children find themselves in the situation they are in now: Common Core was adopted outside of the legislative process which meant that too many voices were left out of the debate,’’ Cafero wrote. Not holding a full public hearing, he added, would, “continue to leave people out of the conversation and continue to do damage to our entire education community.’’
The Republican bill proposal would codify important changes adopted by the Performance Evaluation and Assessment Committee.
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