COMMON CORE – GEORGIA: RESTRICT DATA COLLECTION; REVIEW FOR 60 DAYS

Gov. Deal signs order addressing common core standards

Georgia Gov. Deal signs order addressing Common Core standards

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2013-05-15/gov-deal-signs-order-addressing-common-core-standards

OnLine Athens – Christina A. Cassidy – 5/16/2013

ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order Wednesday putting in place restrictions on a set of academic standards adopted by the state that have faced growing opposition in recent months by tea party and conservative groups.

Under the order, the state will be prohibited from collecting certain information on students and their families, including religious and political affiliation and voting history. The move comes just days before Republicans gather for their annual state convention in Athens, where the Common Core academic standards are expected to be a big topic of debate.

Deal, a Republican, acknowledged in his remarks that the personal information is not currently being collected, but said his order was designed to ensure no one's rights are violated.

"Georgia has not been collecting that data, and Georgia will not collect that data. To make the above clear and unambiguous, I have signed an executive order and I will ask the Legislature to embrace the content of that executive order in legislation during the next session of the General Assembly," Deal said.

Deal did not call for a repeal of the standards and began his remarks by emphasizing their common interests.

"We're here because we are concerned about the future of education in the state of Georgia. All of us want our children to have the best education possible," Deal said. "Setting rigorous academic standards is an essential component of increasing student achievement and improving college and career readiness."

Under the executive order, Deal reiterated that all decisions regarding curriculum and instruction shall be made at the local level and that no educational standards shall be imposed on Georgia by the federal government. The order also orders that any proposed changes to state educational standards shall be posted for public review and comment for at least 60 days. Critics have charged Georgia moved too quickly to adopt the standards. 

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