February 27, 2014

Bolinsky Helps Force Common Core Public Hearing

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HARTFORD- State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-106 Newtown) and the rest of the House Republicans Wednesday, Feb. 26, forced the majority party to hold a formal public hearing on the Common Core curriculum and public school teacher evaluation process by “petitioning out” his and the House Republican Caucus’ legislation to delay the flawed implementation of Common Core Standards in Connecticut, along with Smarter Balanced Testing and the very controversial teacher evaluation programs until critical stakeholders have their say at the State Capitol.

Initially, Democrat leadership of the legislature’s Education Committee had refused to allow the initiation of legislation to delay the initiatives, pending such a public hearing, leading Bolinsky and other Republican caucus members to invoke a seldom used petitioning process by their caucus that permits legislation to be raised. Under House Rule 11, by gathering a required 51 signatures, they made it possible to force raising of the two bills and the scheduling of the public hearing that will follow.

One of the proposals codifies the proposals brought forth by the committee created to establish teacher evaluation standards known as the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council.
The second bill would freeze the implementation of the Common Core curriculum until all stakeholders have time to look at its potential effects and consider possible changes.

Bolinsky who sits on the Education Committee said, “I look forward to attending the Education committee public hearing on Common Core. Many parents and teachers have expressed concern over the implementation of these programs, particularly as they relate to testing, teacher evaluation and curriculum implementation in our schools. Government is supposed to be of the people and for the people. I’m happy to be helpful in giving the people a chance to be heard. As the details of this public hearing emerge, we will communicate them to my constituents. Based on the sheer number of concerns coming into my office, I think this will be an extraordinarily well attended and lively hearing. I’m looking forward to it!”