In 2013, the debate over Common Core academic standards intensified in Idaho, and across the nation.
The debate never reached critical mass in Idaho, with no concerted attempt to repeal the state’s version of the standards in math and English language arts. But in May 2013, Indiana became the first state to roll back the Common Core standards. The 2013 law put the standards on hold; a 2014 law ditched the standards entirely.
As the state’s Republican governor said after signing the repeal law: “Indiana has taken an important step forward in developing academic standards that are written by Hoosiers, for Hoosiers, and are uncommonly high.”
The governor who signed both of these bills was Mike Pence. On Friday, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump named Pence his running mate.
For more about Pence’s lengthy history on K-12 issues — and how they align with Trump’s statements on K-12 — here’s a closer look from Alyson Klein of Education Week. The short highlights: As a member of Congress, Pence opposed the federal No Child Left Behind education law; as governor, he has supported pre-K and school choice.
On Friday, Idaho Republican Party chairman Steve Yates hailed Trump’s choice. “(Pence) is a strong leader, a solid conservative, and has a track record of success enacting conservative policies.” said Yates, according to a blog post from Betsy Russell of the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
