Anti-Common Core bill heads to Hassan

On Wednesday the New Hampshire House passed a bill that forbids the state from requiring school districts to adopt the Common Core educational standards.

The bill - SB 101 - now heads to Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) for a signature or veto.

Bill supporters argue that local school districts should have control over curriculum and education standards.  They perceive Common Core as an attempt to nationalize education.

Bill opponents note that school districts already have the right to set their own education standards, and some districts have adopted alternatives to Common Core.  However, every school district is required to participate in the Smarter Balanced assessments based on Common Core, or risk losing federal funding.

A spokesperson for Gov. Hassan said she is still deciding whether or not to veto the bill.  The House did not pass the bill with a large enough margin to override a veto.