The Newark Advocate reports that the new education chairman in the Ohio House is receptive to hearing debate about Ohio’s Common Core educational standards. Representative Bill Hayes, R-Pataskala, has said that he intends to be open about the issue and “give everyone a fair hearing.” Hayes replaces former Ed. Chairman Gerry Stebelton, R-Lancaster, who was a supporter of Common Core, according to the Advocate. Term limits prevented Stebelton from running for office again last year.
Ohio Representative Andy Thompson, R-Marietta, had introduced a bill attempting to repeal common core in the last general assembly, but it failed in the lame-duck legislative session. According to the Advocate and the Cincinnati Enquirer, Thompson has said he will introduce a similar bill this year. While the bill may get more attention in the Ohio legislature, it is unclear whether it will ultimately find success, as Governor Kasich has been vocally supportive of Ohio’s Common Core standards.