Zeldin Amendment to Protect States That Choose to Opt Out of Common Core Passes House of Representatives

Press Release

Today, July 8, 2015, an amendment offered by Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C -- Shirley) to protect states that choose to opt out of Common Core passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming vote of 373 to 57. This was an amendment to an education bill, H.R. 5, that was scheduled to be voted on later in the evening.

The Zeldin Amendment would allow states to opt out of Common Core Standards, if they so choose, without fear that there will be any loss of federal funding as a result, bringing the control of education decisions back to the state and local level.

Congressman Zeldin said, "While previously serving in the New York State Senate, I had countless conversations with various elected officials, educators, parents, and students, with regards to our shared and deeply held concerns with the implementation of Common Core. My amendment is the single most important action for New York State and other states to be permitted to withdraw from Common Core without fear of penalty from the federal government."

"As a father, I strongly believe we need to shift the focus in our classrooms from testing to teaching, to ensure our children never lose their love of learning," Rep. Zeldin continued. "Improving our nation's education system, and restoring local control and flexibility to Long Island parents and educators remains one of my top priorities in Congress."

Source