MS. Business Group Restates Support for Common Core Curriculum

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi Economic Council is redoubling its support for Common Core academic standards.

Executive Director Blake Wilson says Wednesday that implementation of Common Core is one of MEC’s top issues for the 2014 Legislature, saying: “We cannot turn away.”

State Superintendent of Education Carey Wright says she’s committed to the standards, continuing her strong support.

Common Core is meant to ensure American students learn the same things across states and to encourage more analytical thinking. Opponents are alarmed by federal support, saying the standards boil down to an intrusive federal takeover of Mississippi’s schools.

About two dozen tea party-led opponents met Tuesday at the Capitol to demand lawmakers repeal Common Core’s adoption in Mississippi.

Earlier, Republican Gov. Phil Bryant issued an executive order banning federal intrusion into state education.