By Ben Velderman
EAGnews.org

ATLANTA – The national educational experiment known as Common Core is continuing to divide Georgia Republicans.

On Saturday, Georgia’s GOP leaders voted “to press state officials to withdraw from a national program that creates a basic set of educational standards,” reports the Associated Press. But the state’s Republican governor and other officials in the party remain supportive of Common Core.

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The state Board of Education adopted the untested Common Core K-12 standards for English and math three years ago.

However, since state school board members are appointed by the governor instead of elected by the voters, some Georgians feel the Common Core program is being forced into their local schools without any input from taxpayers.

State Sen. William Ligon agrees with that criticism.

Ligon has called the board’s 2010 decision “a big mistake” and says it’s time for Georgia’s parents and taxpayers to have their say over the new learning standards, which will dramatically affect how students are taught.

“This debate is something that should have occurred back in 2010 but it didn’t,” Ligon told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Now we need to maintain our absolute control over our standards.”

Saturday’s vote was part of an ongoing effort among some conservative Republicans to repeal Common Core. It’s proving to be an uphill battle, thus far.

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A repeal bill died in the GOP-controlled Senate in March.

Last month Republican Gov. Nathan Deal reiterated his support of Common Core, even while issuing an executive order for a 60-day review of the new, nationalized learning standards.

Deal’s order is regarded by Common Core critics as a symbolic gesture that’s only meant to pacify them.

Despite the opposition they face from their own party, Common Core opponents are still refusing to go away.

“Our elected officials should be open to hearing citizens’ concerns over Common Core,” said Kelly Marlow, a school board member in Cherokee County, according to the AP.

“People are concerned about the perceived federalization of our education system and they want local officials to have more of a say,” Marlow added.