The Impact of State Legislation: Education
States matter.
By Aviva Varma
The Progressive Teen Staff Writer
CURRENTLY, IN ALABAMA, there are 268 bills regarding education within the state that are being voted on. Amongst them is SB119, a bill that aims to rid K-12 schools of the Common Core Standards. These standards are implemented in forty-one states and guarantee that students acquire the knowledge required for their futures. They’re particularly beneficial in states with high-poverty rates like Alabama because they ensure that all students receive the same level of education while in school, regardless of income. In spite of this, lack of public opposition to the bill has resulted in the Senate sending it to the House of Representatives for consideration. If passed, the level and quality of education that students receive will be greatly impacted.
Unfortunately, this isn’t simply the case in Alabama. Sen. DeSantis recently signed an executive order that terminates the use of Common Core Standards in Florida as well. Once this order is put into effect, Florida will be the fourth state to repeal Common Core Standards over the span of five years, following Indiana, Arizona, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. However, it’s important to understand that it isn’t only these states that are affected. Instead, the repealing of Common Core Standards in multiple states is detrimental to the United States as a whole because it indicates a national decline in educational standards, and when they decline, so does the country’s human capital.
Therefore, state legislation is extremely important. It’s responsible for the shaping and development of the country. Far too many people don’t pay attention to state laws and statutes because they believe that national legislation is what truly matters. It’s the same reason why people vote for presidential candidates but not senators and representatives. However, this misconception is exactly what results in such disastrous bills being passed. Because people aren’t aware that their state legislators are proposing and voting on bills that impact their lives, they don’t oppose them. They allow their officials to make decisions that dictate their futures. It’s time to put an end to this. Vote in district elections. Check your local government’s website to find out about any new policies. Call and email your state representatives. You’ll be glad you did.
