The three-month 2015 legislative session is underway, and conservative opposition to new educational standards appears to be gaining steam. Nearly 200 protestors gathered on the south lawn on the first day of the session to call for an end to Common Core.
The rally featured a series of energetic speeches promising to do away with what conservative activists see as a detrimental set of standards that they believe are being dictated to the state by Washington D-C.
Governor Phil Bryant says federal over reach is at the heart of his call to do away with Common Core.
"The state of Mississippi and its local school districts, not the federal government, shall determine the content and academic standards and curriculum for public schools in Mississippi. That doesn't seem to be a lot to ask for," Bryant said.
The Lt. Governor also tossed his support behind repealing common core standards.
The state department of education is adamant that after five years of planning and millions of dollars spent Common Core should go forward.
House education chair John Moore of Brandon is sounding a similar tone.
"I don't think I have been steadfast in my support of the standards. I just don't want to throw the baby out with the water. And to this point no one has come forward with anything to replace it with," Moore said.
Mississippi students will take Common Core aligned tests for the first time later this year.
