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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Republican state lawmaker is concerned that a state commission studying education and South Dakota's teacher shortage isn't taking into account the concerns of legislators outside the group.
Rep. Elizabeth May said she's disappointed because she thought the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Teachers and Students would be more open to input from other lawmakers, KCCR-AM reported. Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Republican legislative leaders in February put forward the task force, which will report recommendations to the 2016 Legislature about how to address problems in South Dakota's educational system.
An email sent out for the group last week told lawmakers that they are invited to attend public meetings to listen but said that lawmakers shouldn't offer input. The group is visiting communities across the state through June.
May said she also thinks the group should examine Common Core testing and federal mandates.
"I'm just really disappointed. I thought that this task force would be more open and would include everything," May said.
Republican Rep. Jacqueline Sly, who is one of the leaders of the commission, said the public meetings are just the first part of the process and that lawmakers will have opportunities to weigh in later.
When Daugaard announced the task force, he said South Dakota should strive for high student achievement, excellent teachers and a funding system to support them both.
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Information from: KCCR-AM, http://www.todayskccr.com/
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