(John Eppolito of NACC) – A very important opt-out of Common Core testing (SBAC) amendment was added to Senate Bill 75 today (Wednesday) at the Assembly Education Committee at 3:15 PM.
On April 27, 2015 in the Assembly Education Committee, Assemblyman Munford proposed an “Opt Out” amendment to SB 75. The Assembly Education Committee is headed by Assemblywoman Melissa Woodward. Mr. Munford said, “Parents need to be heard, I was urged by my constituents to do something that will give them back the ability to opt out of the Nevada SBAC tests, which many believe to be unfair, unconstitutional, and/or racially and culturally biased.”
New York state, which is two years ahead of Nevada in Common Core testing, has over 15% of students statewide opt out of CC testing this year. In Clark County School District, the tests were suspended indefinitely due to technical difficulties.
Following today’s Senate Education Committee meeting in informal conversations, a Douglas County School District teacher commented, “my fifth grade son came home crying more than once due to the SBAC exam.” He also said that most teachers don’t like the new standards but are afraid to speak up.
As of May 5, 2015, the members of the Assembly Education Committee had not been informed about the disposition of Mr. Munford’s Amendment, nor had it been added to NELIS. “It’s in Ms. Woodbury’s hands,” commented Mr. Munford, the most senior member of the Legislature. “I am hopeful that she will hear that parents want and need a voice.” Mr. Munford commented.
Nevadans Against Common Core (NACC) is a non-profit organization, whose six board members (three Democrats: Pat Lynch, Angie Sullivan, and Don Gallimore, and three Republicans: John Eppolito, Carol Wright, and Virginia Starrett) demonstrate the truly bi-partisan nature of Common Core opposition in Nevada. Visit www.NevadansAgainstCommonCore.com for more information.