A NEW Common Core bill, SB 403, has been introduced by Scott Beason (very similar to the one what was killed in committee).  SB 403 WILL BE VOTED ON by the Senate Education Policy Committee on Wednesday, April 17th, in Room 727 at 8:30 a.m at the State House.  This is the same room the other hearing was held.  It's important for as many people as possible to attend this meeting.

IMPORTANT:  The vote on Wednesday will determine if our bill SB 403 dies or survives.

UPDATE ON COMMON CORE BILLS:  Two bills will be voted on by the Education Policy Committee on Wednesday.

I was most surprised to learn yesterday that Senator Dick Brewbaker has filed a new bill on data only.  As you know, Senator Brewbaker carried the first repeal bill that died in his committee.  SB 190 was an outstanding bill and included both privacy protections for students and the repeal of Common Core.   These two issues should be linked in ONE BILL, not separated.  However, Senator Brewbaker has separated these issues and has submitted only a data bill.   A comparison of Senator Brewbaker's original bill SB 190 and his new bill on data only, SB 424, shows that the data provisions have been badly weakened in his new bill.   Primarily, our concern is the collection of personal, non-academic information on students and their families and the sharing of this information with third parties -- in and outside of Alabama -- as well as with the federal government.  SB 424 DOES NOT ADDRESS THIS!

Please contact Senator Brewbaker and other Republican members of the Education Policy Committee and ask them to (1) not vote for SB 424 since it does not include repeal of Common Core and it falls short of what is needed for privacy protection, and (2) vote for SB 403 which repeals Common Core AND protects the privacy of students.  Their names and contact information follow: 

Dick Brewbaker:  dick.brewbaker@alsenate.gov; (334) 242-7895
Gerald Allen:   ghallen62@yahoo.com; (334) 242-7889
Slade Blackwell:  slade@inkana.net; (334) 242-7851
Bill Holzclaw:  holzclaw@knology.net; (334) 242-7854
Shad McGill:   jclegislativedelegation@gmail.com; (334) 242-7858
Trip Pittman:  trip.pittman@alsenate.gov; (334) 242-7897

Ask legislators why they are going against the combined national and state Republican leadership and their Republican base?  The RNC just adopted a Resolution supporting repeal of Common Core.  Our two U.S. Senators and four Republican Congressmembers are on record as opposing Common Core.  The GOP State Executive Committee passed a Resolution to repeal Common Core.   NFRW passed a Resolution to repeal Common Core.  AFRW supports repeal.

Grassroots groups in 40 states are working to repeal of Common Core.  This movement is growing and it will not go away -- nor will we!