By Senators Marsh, Melson, Givhan, Roberts, McClendon, Whatley, Price, Chesteen, Williams, Waggoner, Butler, Sessions, Allen, Elliott, Barfoot, Stutts, Chambliss, Shelnutt, Holley, Scofield, Livingston, Reed and Orr
Relating to public education; to terminate the adoption and implementation of the curriculum standards commonly known as the Common Core Standards, also known as the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards, in K-12 public schools; and to require the State Board of Education to replace the Common Core Standards for Math and English Language Arts with new curriculum standards adopted by the board.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The Legislature finds that the State Board of Education, in the fall of 2013, voted to rescind the Memorandum of Agreement that involved the State of Alabama in adopting the Common Core Standards, which ceded control of Alabama's standards to entities other than the state and local educational agencies, and declared that the collection of personal data concerning students of Alabama public schools would not be collected or compiled.
(b) In order to codify the intent of the board, the State of Alabama hereby terminates all plans, programs, activities, efforts, and expenditures relative to the implementation of the educational initiative commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards, or any derivative or permutation thereof, including, but not limited to, the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards which have been adopted or may be adopted by the board or its employees, including any assessments, data collection, and instructions based on or involving any such standard or protocol.
(c) As part of the transition to an improved Alabama standards process, the State Board of Education shall replace the existing Common Core Standards with new standards adopted by rule pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. The new standards for Math and English Language Arts shall begin in the 2021-2022 school year and shall be known as the Alabama Core Standards.
(d) As part of the termination process, the Legislature directs the State Superintendant of Education, the State Board of Education, and any other public authority to terminate the flexibility waiver agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, pertaining to the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which includes the adoption of the Common Core Standards, also known as the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards, and other areas of federal control of the educational process.
(e) The Legislature further prohibits the adoption or implementation of any national standards from any source, or the use of any assessments aligned with them, that cede control of Alabama educational standards in any manner, including, but not limited to, the Next Generation Science Standards, History Standards, Social Studies Standards, or Sexuality Standards.
Nothing in this act shall be construed to affect, prohibit, or inhibit the use of any of the following tools, standards, or certifications in the public K-12 schools: Any college entrance examination, workforce skills assessment or examination, advanced placement course, career technical credential, national board certification, academic language therapy certification, Praxis or other core academic skills for educators test, armed service vocational aptitude test, or International Baccalaureate standard.
(f) The state shall retain sole control over the development, establishment, and revision of K-12 course of study standards.
(g) Any education entity or any state official shall not join any consortium or any other organization when participation in that consortium or organization would cede any measure of control over any aspect of Alabama public education to any such entity.
Section 2. Any citizen of the State of Alabama shall have standing in the courts of Alabama to bring suit to ensure the enforcement of this act.
Section 3. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.