Bill to require decennial standards review advances amid debate over Common Core and evidence standards

Representative Kristen Noble introduced HB 1571, which would direct the Department of Education to review academic standards for math, English language arts and science beginning in 2027 and every 10 years thereafter; the bill also directs the department to develop a new aligned state assessment and provide a recommended list of high‑quality instructional materials for districts to consider.

Sponsor’s case: Noble said the current standards were adopted roughly 15 years ago and argued that nationwide student achievement has been stagnant. She said the bill is intended to permit the state to replace Common Core–aligned mathematics standards with alternatives she considers more rigorous.

Supporters at the hearing offered examples and research claims about Common Core’s shortcomings in math and literacy. A parent advocate detailed concerns that Common Core delays access to advanced math and places undue emphasis on written explanation over computational fluency; she urged adoption of proven standards that prioritize content mastery.

State board cautions: Drew Klein, chair of the State Board of Education, supported reexamination but urged clearer lines about roles and measurement. He emphasized that the State Board holds statutory authority to adopt standards and suggested the bill specify how the department’s review would feed into the board’s rulemaking. He also recommended that any recommended curricular materials be chosen on the basis of evidence that they produce better outcomes, citing out‑of‑state examples of rigorous review processes.

Why it matters: Academic standards and the choice of assessments influence classroom expectations, materials procurement, and later student pathways, including readiness for STEM programs. The bill’s ten‑year review cycle drew both interest and caution: speakers warned mandatory cycles risk inserting short‑term trends into stable standards.

Next steps: The committee received testimony from parents, the state board chair and others and ended the public portion of the hearing. Members asked for clarifications about the department’s role in initiating reviews versus the State Board’s statutory duty to adopt standards.

Provenance: Transcript testimony and Q&A, SEG 1012–SEG 1568.