FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2013
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Speaker Robin Vos
Speaker Vos Announces Assembly Select Committee on Common Core
Madison…Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced the creation of the Assembly Select Committee on Common Core Standards. The committee will review the Common Core Standards and provide recommendations on future implementation.
“Democrats and Republicans agree nothing is more important than educating our children,” said Speaker Vos. “This committee will hold public hearings and lead a statewide conversation on what standards should be taught in Wisconsin schools.”
The Speaker has asked Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac), a former educator of 22 years, to serve as chair of the committee.
“I’m honored Speaker Vos has chosen me to lead this committee and the important discussions,” said Rep. Thiesfeldt. “These standards are potentially the basis of education for future generations of Wisconsin students, and I am pleased the Legislature and public have been afforded an appropriate opportunity to chime in on it.”
The Speaker has provided the following directives for the committee:
· Fulfill the objectives of the 2013-15 Wisconsin State Budget, including but not limited to:
o Compare and contrast existing Wisconsin standards with Common Core Standards
o Consider best practices by sampling college and career readiness standards
o Provide a comparative evaluation of the costs to the state
· Engage the public and educate all parties on the components of Common Core Standards and the potential results of their implementation in Wisconsin, focusing on but not limited to:
o School boards maintaining independence and fostering innovation within their districts
o Wisconsin’s public educational system objectives being fulfilled by Common Core Standards
· Provide recommendations on the future of the implementation of Common Core Standards in Wisconsin schools
The members of the bipartisan committee include: Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson), Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford), Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), Rep. Jim Steineke (R- Kaukauna), Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh), Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains), Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton).