*articles are from back when Tom was in the Michigan State House of Representatives
McMillin Amendment Halts Common Core in Michigan
Truth In American Education, April 24, 2013
Breaking…. big move in the Michigan House of Representatives! The Michigan House today approved the Department of Education budget (HB4328) on a 59-51 vote with an amendment which does not allow them to implement Common Core State Standards or “Smarter Balanced Assessments”. The amendment was sponsored by State Rep. Tom McMillin, the amendment is similar to House Bill 4276 which is currently before the House Education Committee. [...]
It should be noted that Common Core State Standards were never approved by a Michigan Legislature (or any state legislature for that matter). A press release sent by McMillin noted said that “Concerns have been raised about the State Board of Education exceeding its authority as it attempts to implement standards in Michigan schools that were created by a private, national organization, the National Governor’s Association. The National Governor’s Association controls the content of the Common Core State Standards, and the privately-owned “Smarter Balanced Assessments” align with those standards.”
“The Department of Education is trying to put Michigan schools in Common Core without legislative approval,” said McMillin, R-Rochester Hills. “Giving our authority to control what is taught in our schools to any national entity is wrong. I am glad the House is taking up the debate of whether this is appropriate.”
(Read the full story at Truth in American Education)
McMillin Introduces Legislation Opposing National Science Standards testing in Michigan Schools
News release, September 12, 2013
Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin (R-District 45) introduced H.B. 4972. It is co-sponsored by State Representatives Bob Genetski (R-District 80), Greg MacMaster (R-District 105), Ken Goike (R-District 33) and Ray Franz (District 101). The bill, if passed would forbid both the Michigan State Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education from either adopting the standards or aligning the state’s student assessments with the "Next Generation" science standards.
(View Tom McMillin's legislation at this link.)
House approves McMillin amendment stripping Common Core funds in state budget
Rochester Post, May 15, 2013
ROCHESTER — The Michigan House of Representatives has approved the Michigan Department of Education budget, including an amendment prohibiting MDE from using any state funds to implement Common Core State Standards or “Smarter Balanced” assessments.
The budget language, approved by the House April 24, now moves to the Michigan Senate for consideration.
State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, sponsored the amendment and is also sponsoring House Bill 4276 to withdraw Michigan completely from Common Core. HB 4276 awaits a vote from the House Education Committee after a March hearing.
Michigan’s state board of education unanimously traded Michigan’s standards for Common Core State Standards — which lists what children in grades K-12 should know in math and English — two weeks after it was released in June 2010. In 2014, the board was also set to have Michigan trade its state tests for national Common Core tests called “Smarter Balanced.” [...]
(Read the full article at this link.)
School Choice Advocates Cheer Lift of Charter Public School Cap
Michigan Capitol Confidential, December 15, 2011
"[...] House Education Committee Chair Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, pointed to other quality control mechanisms built into the bill. He cited a provision that charters that fail to meet their educational goals may not open additional schools.
He added that charter schools have always had an extra level of accountability compared to conventional school districts, since both the state superintendent and their public authorizer may decide to shut them down.
“And, obviously, parents decide with their feet as well,” he added, alluding to the fact that parents who choose charter schools for their children can opt to leave at any time.
Rep. McMillin also argues that the bill adds new transparency requirements for charter schools that meet or exceed those of conventional school districts."
(Read the full article at this link.)
McMillin Amendment Halts Common Core in Michigan
Truth In American Education, April 24, 2013
Breaking…. big move in the Michigan House of Representatives! The Michigan House today approved the Department of Education budget (HB4328) on a 59-51 vote with an amendment which does not allow them to implement Common Core State Standards or “Smarter Balanced Assessments”. The amendment was sponsored by State Rep. Tom McMillin, the amendment is similar to House Bill 4276 which is currently before the House Education Committee. [...]
It should be noted that Common Core State Standards were never approved by a Michigan Legislature (or any state legislature for that matter). A press release sent by McMillin noted said that “Concerns have been raised about the State Board of Education exceeding its authority as it attempts to implement standards in Michigan schools that were created by a private, national organization, the National Governor’s Association. The National Governor’s Association controls the content of the Common Core State Standards, and the privately-owned “Smarter Balanced Assessments” align with those standards.”
“The Department of Education is trying to put Michigan schools in Common Core without legislative approval,” said McMillin, R-Rochester Hills. “Giving our authority to control what is taught in our schools to any national entity is wrong. I am glad the House is taking up the debate of whether this is appropriate.”
(Read the full story at Truth in American Education)
McMillin Introduces Legislation Opposing National Science Standards testing in Michigan Schools
News release, September 12, 2013
Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin (R-District 45) introduced H.B. 4972. It is co-sponsored by State Representatives Bob Genetski (R-District 80), Greg MacMaster (R-District 105), Ken Goike (R-District 33) and Ray Franz (District 101). The bill, if passed would forbid both the Michigan State Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education from either adopting the standards or aligning the state’s student assessments with the "Next Generation" science standards.
(View Tom McMillin's legislation at this link.)
House approves McMillin amendment stripping Common Core funds in state budget
Rochester Post, May 15, 2013
ROCHESTER — The Michigan House of Representatives has approved the Michigan Department of Education budget, including an amendment prohibiting MDE from using any state funds to implement Common Core State Standards or “Smarter Balanced” assessments.
The budget language, approved by the House April 24, now moves to the Michigan Senate for consideration.
State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, sponsored the amendment and is also sponsoring House Bill 4276 to withdraw Michigan completely from Common Core. HB 4276 awaits a vote from the House Education Committee after a March hearing.
Michigan’s state board of education unanimously traded Michigan’s standards for Common Core State Standards — which lists what children in grades K-12 should know in math and English — two weeks after it was released in June 2010. In 2014, the board was also set to have Michigan trade its state tests for national Common Core tests called “Smarter Balanced.” [...]
(Read the full article at this link.)
School Choice Advocates Cheer Lift of Charter Public School Cap
Michigan Capitol Confidential, December 15, 2011
"[...] House Education Committee Chair Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, pointed to other quality control mechanisms built into the bill. He cited a provision that charters that fail to meet their educational goals may not open additional schools.
He added that charter schools have always had an extra level of accountability compared to conventional school districts, since both the state superintendent and their public authorizer may decide to shut them down.
“And, obviously, parents decide with their feet as well,” he added, alluding to the fact that parents who choose charter schools for their children can opt to leave at any time.
Rep. McMillin also argues that the bill adds new transparency requirements for charter schools that meet or exceed those of conventional school districts."
(Read the full article at this link.)