LAWTON, OK (June 5, 2014) — T.W. Shannon today hailed Governor Mary Fallin’s approval of key legislation eliminating Common Core standards in Oklahoma. The measure, HB 3399, was passed by the Oklahoma House and Senate on May 23.
“I called for the repeal of Common Core when I was Speaker because I believe that Oklahomans, not the federal government, should control education policy in our state,” Shannon said. “I am proud to have co-authored the bill to repeal Common Core in Oklahoma, so we can finally say goodbye and good riddance to this failed policy.”
“The federal government sold Common Core with the promise of increased standards, but instead gave us an inflexible curriculum that does not equip our children for college,” said Shannon. “The federal government has disregarded parental rights, over-regulated teachers, and over-tested our kids. Parents, local governments and teachers are better equipped to meet the needs of their students than the federal government.
“I’m running for the U.S. Senate to stand up to this government-first, status quo mentality. We can’t afford more of the same thinking that says government is the solution. I have a solid record of conservative accomplishments here in Oklahoma, and I will take those same ideas to Washington. I look forward to leading the charge to rein in the size, scope, and power of the federal government. We don’t need more failed legislation from the beltway insiders—we need the same conservative solutions that have worked for us right here in Oklahoma.”