Yesterday, Governor McCrory signed the legislative agreement passed in the General Assembly last week that confirms North Carolina’s commitment to higher academic standards. Senate Bill 812 brings greater predictability and certainty to North Carolina teachers, students and job creators by keeping the current higher standards in place while a standards review commission researches and provides revisions. North Carolina will maintain rigorous standards that will be revised to best meet the needs of our students as they prepare for college, career and life. Additionally, the measure allows the commission to retain elements of Common Core standards, in part or full, as a basis for future standards. This leaves open the possibility that Common Core, with modifications, could continue to serve as the basis for North Carolina’s public school standards.

We commend Governor McCrory for his ongoing commitment to higher academic standards for North Carolina, and we look forward to hearing from him at our Conference on Education on August 14.

Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber