After holding joint committee hearings earlier this year to review the assessments to be used with Common Core, it appears the House may not have the votes to continue funding the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC). Here’s key excerpts from MIRS News,
“The language, which the committee inserted in an education omnibus budget bill today, would require school districts to continue using the Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) during the 2014-2015 school year.
That’s despite the fact that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has been working to transition schools to Smarter Balanced test for the next school year. And that’s also despite that fact that earlier this year, State Superintendent Mike FLANAGAN labeled getting funding for Smarter Balanced his No. 1 priority….
“…The Legislature has held a handful of hearings this year on the new assessment system, but Rep. Bill ROGERS (R-Brighton), said still, the votes aren’t there to fund Smarter Balanced in the next budget year.
“Is the department comfortable? Absolutely not,” Rogers said of the Smarter Balanced delay. “Are we comfortable? Absolutely not.”
MDE has been working toward the implementation of Smarter Balanced. And in December, the department released a report that rated the state’s various assessment options with Smarter Balanced finishing with the best ranking (See “Smarter Balanced Scores Best On MDE Report,” 12/2/13).”
“….Rogers proposed the amendment bringing the new language today for
HB 5314, the education omnibus budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015.
The amendment passed in a 22-1 vote. Six Democrats abstained from voting. Rep. Sam SINGH (D-East Lansing) cast the lone “no” vote. And three other Democrats voted “yes.”
Those Democrats voting “yes” were Reps. Terry BROWN (D-Pigeon), Brandon DILLON (D-Grand Rapids) and Andrew KANDREVAS (D-Southgate)
. Dillon said there are too many unanswered questions about Smarter Balanced right now.
“I don’t see a problem with taking a step back and saying let’s take another year to have a more complete and inclusive RFP process and make sure that the test we do is the right one,” Dillon said.”
This is a step in the right but this is an election year and lawmakers know that the Common Core is a hot issue. A “delay” in funding until after the election is unacceptable if it leads back to the same people making the same decisions in support of nationalized central control of education. Michigan parents and voters must make Common Core the litmus test issue. Michigan must stop the implementation of Common Core and retain control of our assessments. We can do that if we elect people with the courage to stand up to the feds and special interests.