COMMON CORE PUBLIC HEARING 10/5/2013 - MADISON, WI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

September 25, 2013

Contact:  Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt

Phone:  608-266-3156

Rep. Thiesfeldt named Chairman of

The Assembly Select Committee on Common Core Standards

Madison, WI –Today, Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) has been named chairman of a select committee to review Common Core Standards (CCS) in Wisconsin.  The primary directive is to fulfill the objectives of the 2013-15 Wisconsin State Budget proposals, engage the public, and educate all parties on the various components of CCS. 

Thiesfeldt stated, “I’m honored Speaker Vos has chosen me to lead this committee and important discussion.  CCS are potentially going to be the standards of education used for future generations of Wisconsin students, and I am pleased the Legislature and the public have been afforded an appropriate opportunity to chime in on it.”

In his selection as chairman Speaker Vos looked at Rep. Thiesfeldt’s educational background that includes over 20 years of both teaching and coaching in elementary and high schools.  He is also a current member of both the Assembly Education and Urban Education Committees.  Last session Rep. Thiesfeldt also successfully passed legislation that would increase restrictions of felons working in schools and worked to change the human growth and development curriculum back to local control. 

Rep. Thiesfeldt stated, “Legislators are often frustrated when constituents are not engaged on important issues.  Here we have an important issue where constituents resoundingly want to share their thoughts.  I look forward to listening to the public in my role as Chairman.” 

The members of the bipartisan committee include:  Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson), Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford), Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale), Rep. Jim Steineke (R- Kaukauna), Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh), Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains), Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton).

The goal statements for the committee are: 

1.     Fulfill the objectives of the 2013-15 Wisconsin State Budget proposals and directives regarding Common Core Standards (CCS).  Including but not limited to:

a)     Comparing and contrasting existing Wisconsin standards with CCS

b)     Considering best practices by sampling college and career readiness standards

c)     Providing a comparative evaluation of the costs to the state

2.     Engage the public and educate all parties on the components of CCS and the potential results of its implementation in Wisconsin.  Focusing on but not limited to: 

a)   School boards maintaining independence and fostering innovation within their districts 

b)   Wisconsin’s public educational system objectives being fulfilled by CCS

3.     Provide recommendations on the future of the implementation of CCS in Wisconsin schools

The first meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible.

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