RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1001

A resolution supporting the Tennessee Common Core standards, and opposing all state action that would discontinue the use of the standards or delay their implementation.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council and the residents of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County desire a world-class public education system for all 82,000 of the students enrolled in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS); and

WHEREAS, MNPS is demonstrating academic improvement with year-over-year gains in student achievement and student growth in multiple grades and subjects; and

WHEREAS, the Common Core State Standards represent a nationwide effort to provide clarity regarding the concepts students should understand when completing each grade in math and English language arts in order to be on track for college or career preparedness; and

WHEREAS, 45 of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are members of the Common Core State Standards Initiative; and

WHEREAS, On July 30, 2010, the Common Core State Standards were adopted unanimously by the State Board of Education with the support of then Governor Phil Bredesen; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee General Assembly, as well as all 136 local education agencies and local boards of education, made a commitment to implement the College and Career Ready Standards through the application and award of the Race to the Top grant; and

WHEREAS, part of the motivation in adopting the Common Core standards is to promote consistency in education so that all students, regardless of where they live, are well prepared with the skills and knowledge necessary to collaborate and compete with their peers in the United States and abroad; and

WHEREAS, several bills have been filed in the Tennessee General Assembly this term that would either discontinue the use of the Common Core standards, or direct the State Board of Education to postpone any further implementation of the standards until approved by the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, discontinuing or delaying the implementation of Common Core in Tennessee would have a negative impact on our students, and would increase the risk that they fall further behind their peers academically in other states and around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as supporting the Tennessee Common Core standards, and opposing all state action that would discontinue the use of the standards or delay their implementation.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the members of the Tennessee House and Senate Education committees, to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly, and to Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Erica Gilmore

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Education Committee
Introduced:	February 18, 2014
Adopted:	February 18, 2014 - Roll Call Vote
Approved:	February 19, 2014
By: