Illinois State Representative Reggie Phillips (R-Springfield) told the East Central Reporter that due to the drop in Illinois’ graduation rates a change needs to happen with Common Core.
Regarding whether Illinois should follow the significant number of states that have dropped out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, which develop the CCSS tests, Phillips said there needs to be a thorough review of the program. He also stressed the need to hear from educators and parents on what they believe is best for students.
“As with other programs in the state, Illinois needs a comprehensive review of programs that have been newly enacted,” Phillips told the East Central Reporter. “It’s time we start to get the people involved in the decision making process that specifically effects them.”…
….Phillips said he believes changes do need to be made to the CCSS — and that the state’s graduation rates reflect that need. He explained the option to sit back and do nothing is not an option that he sees as viable.
“I do think there needs to be changes to the program in that our graduation rates are not acceptable,” Phillips said. “We can and must do better for our students and for preparing them for their futures. We have a few choices when it comes to education: we can scrap the program as a whole, work to make changes to the existing program or do nothing. I am not a do-nothing guy.”
Hopefully Illinois parents can see some tangible action taken against Common Core, but it is an uphill battle in that state.
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