Arizona Bill Changing Assessment Sparks Common Core Debate

 

The Ahwatukee Foothills News (AZ) (3/25, Martinez) reports that in response to the advance of a measure in the Arizona state legislature changing the state's AIMS assessment to align with the Common Core Standards, "parents, teachers, education leaders and activists gathered last week at the State Capitol for an informational meeting that discussed the new Common Core state standards and the possibility of replacing AIMS testing." The piece relates the opposition of education stakeholders concerned about a potential shift to the PARCC assessment. However, "Supporters and the bill's sponsor, Rep. Doris Goodale say that the AIMS test is no longer relevant to be administered since it measures old standards."

 

Arizona Paper Supports Common Core Assessment Bill.An editorial in the Arizona Republic (3/21) dismisses criticism of the Common Core Standards as being "conspiracy theories" and anti-Federal sentiment, arguing that "needs of 21st-century students" should be paramount. "We're not talking about a revolutionary new idea here. Schools across the state have been preparing for new national academic standards called Common Core, which will kick in this fall." The paper backs the above legislation, and pans Republicans in the state legislature for being influenced by "activists."