State of Idaho sued over common core

A local Idaho Falls attorney and his clients are taking on the Idaho State Education system. They are questioning the common core values that elementary schools across the state are practicing.

The suit was filed by Idaho Falls attorney Bryan Smith; The suit targets Gov. C.L. Otter, Idaho State Superintendent Sherri Ybarra and Don Soltman.

The lawsuit is aimed at Idaho’s participation in the S-BAC test, or known as the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.

The suit alleges that common core standards are being implemented which are illegal under federal rules governing agreements between states.

A statement from the Idaho Education Association President Penni Cyr, said, “We have not yet had an opportunity to review the complaint, so it would be inappropriate to comment at this time. Once we have read the complaint we may have more to say on this matter”.

But Smith said it’s in violation of the Constitution under the United States compact clause.

“We’re gonna serve it on the governor and also on Sherri Ybarra who’s the school superintendent board of education and then they’ll have their attorneys, somebody from the attorney general’s office and we’ll likely file our response and then we’re headed off to court and specifically, we’re asking for an injunction. Preventing the state of Idaho from spending any more taxpayer dollars on this unconstitutional S-BAC ,” said Smith.

So far the S-BAC has administered common core exams in 18 states, including Idaho.

Supporters of the this lawsuit in Idaho are not alone in this fight, Missouri and North Dakota also have cases.

One judge in Missouri ruled the state’s membership in S-BAC ‘was’ illegal.

However, that decision is under appeal.