Republican House members say they've collected enough signatures to force the General Assembly's Education Committee to hold a public hearing on Connecticut's implementation of the so-called "common core" education curriculum and new teacher evaluation process.
House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero Jr. said Wednesday the seldom-used petitioning process was used because the Democratic-controlled committee refused to hold a public hearing on any common core-related bills offered by the GOP, including freezing implementation.
Democratic Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, the committee's co-chairman, said no Republicans approached him with concerns about common core before this month. He said Connecticut began the process in 2010 and he finds it hard to believe there are aspects that are "utter surprises."
A previously scheduled informational hearing on common core curriculum is planned Friday.
Copyright 2014 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.