Michigan Common Core Legislation (Update)

Common Core spending gets approval from state House

By Kathleen Gray Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

   LANSING — Without discussion, debate or a roll-call vote, the Michigan House of Representatives agreed Tuesday to changes made in legislation allowing the state’s Department of Education to begin spending money on implementing Common Core standards.

   Common Core standards are a national set of expectations of what students need to know in order to be career-and college-ready when they leave high school. The standards were developed by the National Governors’ Association and have been adopted by 45 states.

   The standards have been controversial in Michigan and some other states where some, including a very vocal contingent of tea party activists, feared a federal takeover of education and the loss of local control over K-12 schools.

   Hours of hearings were held this fall. The House passed the legislation with wide bipartisan support two weeks ago. And the Senate passed a slightly different version last week.

   The final action Tuesday, gaveled through without a roll-call vote, means the Department of Education can begin implementing the standards.

   “I think this is all a good discussion. Whenever there is a focus on what your child and schools are doing that’s all good for all of us,” said state Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw Township, a supporter of the standards. “I think there will be innumerable discussions that follow this.”

   Since the vote came in the form of a resolution instead of an actual bill, it does not need to go to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.