That Common Core legislation that has so infuriated educators? Expect some big changes to it before the session is out.
Gov. Nathan Deal, whose staff helped draft the controversial legislation, said it is "not a finished product" and that revisions were on the way.
Senate Bill 167 calls for a review of whether the state should stay within Common Core, the national education standards that have ticked off tea party members and other conservatives who fear a takeover of education policy. But educators also fear the language would prevent students from being tested on material tied to the standards, such as the SAT and ACT.
Deal said the bill's sponsor,Republican state Sen. William Ligon of Brunswick is "very willing" to address the concerns. Said Deal:
"This is not a finished product at this point in time, so I think until we see what the finished product is, it's premature ... I don't think anyone wants to set Georgians' education back. I certainly do not and I would not sign anything that I think would be a step in the wrong direction. I do think we have to address concerns, concerns of the public and within the education community. And we have to do it in a responsible fashion."
