Senator Dolores Gresham released this statement Friday regarding Common Core State Standards and Senate Bill 4.
"I reaffirm my commitment to higher academic standards through passage of Senate Bill 4 which sets our own Tennessee Standards Commission. In order to do this, we must clear the way by severing our ties with the current Common Core Standards.
“There is great misconception among some that when you speak of being in favor of higher standards that it only means the Common Core Standards. I want to clear this up and assure you that this not the case. Let there be no mistake about it, many of us who take issue with Common Core are very much in favor of having the highest standards for our students. Upon announcing my proposal I stated, 'First and foremost, this legislation is committed to the highest standards to keep our students moving forward.'
“My commitment has not changed and continues to be fostered by my conversations with teachers who tell me that having higher standards and strategies have set us on the right path. I believe them.
“My plan is to work with my colleagues in the Senate and in the House of Representatives to provide that any new standards developed by the Tennessee Standards Commission would meet these high goals.”