Senate Votes on Symbolic Common Core Repeal

Senators have approved a bill that “puts the final nail in the coffin” on Common Core in West Virginia, according to Senate Education Chair Kenny Mann.

The chamber voted 23-8 Saturday in favor of Senate Bill 524.

The bill, which originally repealed Common Core and replaced the state’s current education standards with those from Massachusetts and California from 20 years ago, now only ensures West Virginia is no longer a part of the memorandum of understanding between states in the Common Core consortium.

It no longer requires the replacement of standards, but a “cyclical review” which must include West Virginia educators.

The West Virginia Board of Education repealed Common Core in 2015 and conducted a nearly yearlong review process, creating the new West Virginia College and Career Ready standards that are being taught in schools today.

Over the past several sessions, though, members of the Legislature have continued to argue that Common Core standards are still being taught in schools because the new set, they say, is too similar to the previous.

West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano, as well as many other state education leaders, have argued that all standards, no matter what state they come from, are largely the same.

Senate Bill 524 will now go to the House of Delegates for further consideration.