From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org

JEFFERSON CITY - Education leaders from across Missouri spoke against a bill that would stop the implementation of Common Core at a hearing Wednesday, April 2, that required an overflow room to accommodate attendants.

Willard District Instructional Coach Carolyn Nixon said the measure would undermine the work her district has invested to meet the national educational standards under Common Core.

"I fully embrace the new standards," Nixon said. "I think we've done things the right way this time. Why should we defy the work that our teachers have done and slap them in the face?"

Missouri's Education Department has adopted the program's standards for implementation during 2014-2015 school year.

Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, expressed concerns regarding how each district would meet higher standards.

"This appears to be a vast, one-size-fits-all experiment," said Emery.

Other lawmakers said they were concerned about how the program's proponents have dealt with opposition.

"It seems like the more I learn about it, the more it sounds like a John Grisham novel with the secrecy and cover-ups," said Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington. "I've heard it over and over where teachers have been at the meetings--it happens every time--teachers telling stories about how their superintendents are singling them out because they are not in support of Common Core."

Independence District School Board President Anne Franklin said she believes the new standards would help improve Missouri education and would save her district money.

"If education is a house, common core is a foundation," Franklin said. "In some of our schools, transient rate was 50 percent. Under Common Core, the time we would spend getting outside students to catch up would be reduced.

The committee made no immediate action regarding the bill and plan to continue Common Core discussions at their next hearing.

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