SB 129 will be heard in Senate Ed Committee at 7:45 am on Thursday, February  13, 2014. SB 129 is a bill to supplant the Common Core. It’s time to contact legislators. If you are able to make the trip to Pierre on Thursday, 2/13/14, that would be fantastic. Even if you do not want to testify, your presence sends a strong message. If you are unable to attend, there are still a few things we need you to do. First, email or call the sponsoring legislators listed below and thank them for standing with the families of South Dakota by sponsoring this bill. Second, contact your senators and urge them to vote for SB 129. Third, contact the members of the Senate Education committee and urge them to vote for SB 129. As always be kind and respectful.

Here is the list with links to email for the Senate Education Committee members.

Senate Education

         FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to supplant the Common Core State Standards.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That chapter 13-3 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

The South Dakota Board of Education shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 to implement academic content standards to prepare students for college and career readiness. The academic content standards shall meet benchmarks for admission to college, postsecondary technical education, or a career. The academic content standards in the benchmarks shall align with postsecondary educational expectations, entry into a career, or both. The academic content standards shall be used to supplant the Common Core State Standards and to the extent necessary to maintain eligibility to receive the flexibility waiver under 20U.S.C.§ 7861 as in effect January 1, 2014.
Section 2. That chapter 13-3 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

---

To determine the appropriate academic content standards that are in the best interests of the students, the South Dakota Board of Education shall:

(1)    Compare the academic content standards that the state used before the implementation of the Common Core State Standards with the Common Core State Standards;

(2)    Compare the academic content standards used in other states such as Indiana that have rejected the Common Core State Standards with the Common Core State Standards; and

(3)    Consider best practices in developing and adopting academic content standards seeking information from subject area teachers and subject area professors at the institutions under the control of the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Section 3. That chapter 13-3 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

The secretary of the Department of Education shall evaluate the cost to the state associated with implementing the Smarter Balanced assessment by the schools in the state and in consultation with the Bureau of Finance and Management shall report to the Legislature the fiscal impact to the state if the South Dakota Board of Education fully implements the Common Core State Standards or discontinues the implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
Section 4. That chapter 13-3 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as follows:

The South Dakota Board of Education or the secretary of the Department of Education may not enter into or renew an agreement with any organization, entity, group, or consortium that requires the state to cede any measure of autonomy or control of academic content standards and assessments including cut scores.