Thursday, April 17, 2014
NASHVILLE - Legislation implementing a one-year delay in the testing component of Tennessee's Common Core curriculum is on its way to Gov. Bill Haslam.
Senators voted 27-0 to adopt a conference committee report on the issue, which has plunged state lawmakers into a fierce debate for the entire legislative session. The House approved it on Wednesday.
Haslam had objected to a bill mandating a two-year delay in Common Core testing and a delay in Common Core standards. But lawmakers say he has signaled he is willing to accept this version.
The state had been planning to use PARCC tests, developed by a consortium of states and which has drawn fierce opposition from social conservatives, at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.
Under the measure that passed today, Tennessee schools will continue to administer Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests for the 2014-2015 school year.
The state Department of Education will be required to start a competitive bidding process for new tests aligned with Common Core standards.
Senate Education Committee Chairman Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, says the bill also prohibits the state from adopting Common Core standards outside of math and language arts.