Rise & Shine: GOP leaders say they're through with Common Core

Welcome back from Thanksgiving! Jumping right back into the thick of education news, is Indiana really going to dump Common Core?

  • Indiana lawmakers seem poised to drop Common Core standards. (NWI)
  • The basics of Common Core in Indiana: A reconsideration. (Chalkbeat)

The Pence-Ritz war of words might be cooling off. Or not:

In other local education new since the holiday:

  • Carmel’s teacher’s union could finally be near a contract agreement. (Indy Star)
  • Rural schools are reopening as charters in some communities. (StateImpact)
  • Southwest Indiana district considers closing a small high school. (WISH-TV)
  • Judge rejects plea deal for teacher charged with sexting. (Post-Tribune)
  • Indiana mom is on a crusade to expand heart screenings for student athletes. (AP)

There was also lots of education opinion from local news outlets during the holiday break:

  • Editorial: The public’s right to know is a casualty in the Ritz-Pence war. (Journal-Courier)
  • School districts: A to F grading isn’t fair. (NWI)
  • Tim Swarens: Teachers unanimously say they are less respected today. (Indy Star)
  • Matt Tully: Preschool is the issue that could unite Pence and Ritz. (Indy Star)
  • Doug Martin: It’s Jeb Bush’s fault schools are closing in Sullivan County. (Schools Matter)
  • Todd Smekens: Pence vs. Ritz is really another front in the war to privatize schools. (Muncie Voice)
  • David Harris: Allow the governor to lead completely on education. (IBJ)
  • Teresa Meredith: Voters spoke clearly; now give democracy a chance. (IBJ)
  • State Sen. Karen Tallian: Follow the money on Pence’s education moves. (NWI)