Yesterday, Education Week reported that 46 states have agreed to join forces to create common academic standards in math and English language arts through an effort led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. A primary goal of the initiative is to “eliminate the patchwork of academic standards across the country that result in students in the same grades learning different things in different states.” In Mississippi, for instance, 90 percent of fourth-graders passed the state reading exam in 2007, according to U.S. Department of Education data. But only 51 percent had at least “basic” or “partial mastery” on the test known as the Nation’s Report Card.
Republican Governors Sarah Palin of Alaska and Mark Sanford of South Carolina - the same governors who postured to reject millions of education stimulus funds - are among the four governors refusing to join the initiative. In a press release Palin said:
Alaska’s decision not to participate until after we monitor this is based on our desire to spend our time and public resources to improve instruction in the classroom and to form productive relationships between schools and the communities they serve.
However, Alaska state education commissioner Larry LeDoux noted that merely signing up for the initiative would not drain any state resources. The Washington Post reported that the sign-up phase for the initiative is a preliminary step and that later “each state would decide individually whether to adopt” the proposal recommended by the organizers.
South Carolina cannot officially join the initiative because Sanford refused to co-sign South Carolina’s application with State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex. Sanford’s spokesman said he opposed signing the application because the “governor does not have a role in implementing education policy.” However, Rex is a strong proponent of the initiative and by refusing to sign the letter, Sanford is essentially setting education policy. Sanford’s obstruction most likely stems from Rex’s outspoken criticism of Sanford’s decision to block $700 million in stimulus money for education and public safety.
According to a report by the Center for American Progress and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on educational effectiveness, both South Carolina and Alaska received a ‘D’ in overall academic achievement:U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Click on image to go to actual map site
Notably, this initiative is a voluntary effort that promotes ideas from the states - something conservatives claim to support - rather than a mandate decided by an agency in Washington, DC.
These troglodytes are a fine example of conservative cooperation (aka "we don't cooperate with anyone").
UPDATE
"S.C. Gov. Sanford must take stimulus money" Charlotte Business Journal 6/4/2009
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford must request the $700 million in federal stimulus money he had wanted to reject, the S.C. Supreme Court has ruled.
In a unanimous decision, the court says Sanford has a duty to execute the state budget, which includes provisions for using the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Sanford had contended that accepting the cash would make the state budget dependent on federal aid. He had said he would accept the money only if he could use it to pay down the state’s debt. The Obama administration rejected that idea, saying the money was intended to spur the economy, not apply to debts.
The state Supreme Court ruling apparently settles the issue. This week, Sanford said he wouldn’t appeal the decision if it came down against him.
The ruling follows two days of Supreme Court hearings.
Gov Sanford LOOSER!
S.C. citizens winners.
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