I very much appreciate you taking the time to let me know your thoughts on Common Core. The Education Committee had a public hearing on March 12, 2014 to provide an opportunity to comment on Common Core. Several hours of oral testimony was presented to the members of the Committee as well as over 200 submissions of written comments.

The Chairs of the Education Committee refused to schedule a public hearing on Common Core this session. I signed a petition with other legislators to require a public hearing on Common Core. The legislature did not vote on adopting Common Core in Connecticut. Rather, the state Board of Education voted in 2010 to adopt Common Core as the curriculum for our public schools. The following is a link to the Common Core website on the state Department of Education website-


Common Core in Connecticut:

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a...
‘On July 7, 2010, with a unanimous vote, the Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE) adopted new national academic standards known as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts and mathematics that will establish what Connecticut’s public school students should know and be able to do as they progress through Grade K-12.’


Although the approval of Common Core occurred a few years ago, this is the first school year fully implementing these standards in a majority of our school districts. Many parents and educators have expressed concerns on Common Core and how that ties into the daily curriculum as early as kindergarten. I share those concerns as well. It is highly unlikely any votes or further discussion will occur on the floor of the House of Representatives given that the Governor is in full support of Common Core and leadership of the Education Committee did not want any public hearings.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.

Respectfully yours,

Cecilia Buck-Taylor
State Representative - 67th District
Legislative Office Building, Room 4200