Huckabee Supports CCSS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2013	Contact: ExcelinEd Press Office 850-391-4090 PressShop@ExcelinEd.org

Governor Mike Huckabee: Join Me in Supporting ‘State-Driven’ Common Core Standards WASHINGTON, DC – As states across the nation raise the bar on academic standards for American students, the Foundation for Excellence in Education announces that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee sent the following letter to Oklahoma lawmakers, urging the continued bold adoption of rigorous Common Core State Standards in schools: Dear Oklahoma Lawmakers: As a conservative who served as governor for a state that shares the values of the very Oklahomans you represent, I’m writing to encourage you to resist any attempt to delay implementation of the improved standards adopted by your State Board of Education in 2010. Many of you voted in favor of these standards in 2010. You were right to stand for these improved standards then and you are right to stand for these improved standards still today. These standards, known as Common Core State Standards, have been near and dear to my heart since I served as Governor of your neighboring state of Arkansas. And it’s disturbing to me there have been criticisms of these standards directed by other conservatives including the RNC. The truth of the matter is, these criticisms are short-sighted. Like many of you, I’ve heard the argument these standards “threaten local control” of what’s being taught in Oklahoma classrooms. Speaking from one conservative to another, let me assure youthis simply is not true. States and local school districts will determine how they want to teach kids, what curriculum to use, and which textbooks to use. These Common Core State Standards evolved as governors and state leaders were talking about what we could do together to raise standards--not a Washington solution, but avoluntary effort on the part of the leaders of the states. In fact, conversations about these standards began long before President Obama occupied the White House. Common Core State Standards are a state driven solution to address the large number of high school graduates who have to take remedial courses in college. In your state of Oklahoma, six out of every ten students who go to college need remedial courses. That’s a lot of money being thrown out of the window by families who’ve worked hard to be able to send their child to college. Imagine finding out your child’s ACT test score wasn’t high enough to get her into college, or that she if she did get in, ended up taking two semesters worth of classes that don’t count toward her college degree. That means you’re paying university prices for what your child was supposed to learn for free in high school. From an economic and workforce development perspective, these standards are critical. Innovation driving the successful companies in Oklahoma requires them to have the best people. That means having an education system that consistently delivers a quality education so that every child graduates high school prepared for college and career. These standards ensure Oklahoma remains competitive in the race to attract companies with the highest paying jobs for Oklahomans that deserve nothing less. Not only do these standards help the Oklahoma economy, they also help the families serving our country. Children of military families will not fall behind when their parents, who've chosen to defend our freedom, are asked to move from Fort Benning, Georgia to Fort Sill in Lawton or Vance Air force base in Enid. I hope you’ll join me and other conservatives, including many Oklahoma parents, educators and business leaders, in making it known these standards are valuable for our future. They’re not something to be afraid of; indeed they are something to embrace. Best, Governor Mike Huckabee # # # To view the this letter online, please visit http://bit.ly/14dNqzr. To learn more about the Foundation for Excellence in Education, the movement to dramatically raise academic standards and the Common Core State Standards Initiative, please visitwww.ExcelinEd.org. TheFoundation for Excellence in Education is igniting a movement of reform, state by state, to transform education for the 21st century economy. Excellence in Action, the organization’s flagship initiative, is working with lawmakers and policymakers to advance education reform across America. Learn more athttp://excelined.us4.list