Gov. Dennis Daugaard has been busy signing bills and among them are two Common Core related pieces of legislation.

 

Senate Bill 63 faced no opposing votes during its path through the legislature. The bill protects the privacy of student records by prohibiting the collection of student information including, political affiliation, religious practices and family gun ownership among other things and requires increased security measures to protect information.

 

SB 63 also allows for aggregate data to be released in order for districts to apply for impact aid and the other makes a minor word change.

 

During its review in the House, vocal Common Core critic Rep. Jim Bolin called the bill “another step in this process,” of compromise between proponents and opponents of the standards.

 

Senate Bill 64, which requires a moratorium period of no less than six months to allow for public comment before the adoption of new content standards drafted by a multistate consortium, faced very little criticism in the legislature.

 

Sen. Ernie Otten, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill would allow for education stakeholders to have “a frank conversation about what we want for kids” when considering additional education standards.

 

ASBSD took a monitor position on both bills. The Association supports the implementation of Common Core.

 

For updates on other pieces of legislation being considered for signature by Gov. Daugaard, check the ASBSD Blog and Bill Tracker page.