Since we posted, “Action Needed: New Science and Social Studies Standards being proposed” which highlighted our concerns with the proposed standards, the Michigan Department of Education (SBE) has been hearing an earful from concerned parents and citizens. We are making a difference!
Thank you to all who have commented on their website or attended their information sessions! They are paying attention! We MUST keep the pressure up to make these standards DO NOT become permanent in Michigan schools. Here’s an update:
- The MDE has added 3 more information sessions to their schedule due to public pressure that the MDE was rushing the decision. (See the post (What’s the Rush MDE?) The new sessions will be held THIS WEEK:
October 5: Eastern Michigan University McKenney Hall 850 W. Cross St. Ypsilanti, MI (734) 487- 1416October 7: Oakland University Pawley Hall (Room 208) 2200 N. Squirrel Road Rochester, MI 48309 (248) 370-2100
October 8: Plymouth-Canton Schools Salem High School (Room2112) 46181 Joy Road Canton, MI 48187 (734) 416-2700
- The MDE appears steadfast in their desire to adopt and implement these standards in Michigan schools. Adoption requires a vote by the State Board of Education. The next scheduled board meeting is October 13 but there is no item for the standards on the current agenda. The agenda for the November 10 meeting has not been published but could be the day they try to vote on the proposed standards. Watch our page and the State Board of Education website for updates.
- State Board of Education member Eileen Weiser wrote an op/ed for the Detroit News likely in response to our article on her false assertion that we are a Constitutional Democracy. (See the post: It’s a Republic, Ms. Weiser, if you can keep it!) In her article, Ms. Weiser encouraged parents to review the standards and acknoweldged,
“These are drafts, and through discussions with others I’ve already forwarded some concerns that demand review. Is MDE listening, ready to make changes? Yes;”
To date, there are not any obvious changes made to the standards nor any acknowledgement on the MDE website that changes have been made. We encourage parents to ask the MDE for a FULL review of the draft AFTER any ANY changes have been made to ensure Michigan students have the best education standards possible. The MDE claims that these are “Michigan standards” so let’s make sure they are what Michigan parents want taught in their schools and NOT what the Southern Poverty Law Center want in our schools.
- The State Board of Education also considered a grant proposal to create digital badges for the social studies standards. There are also digital badges in the works for the STEM career pathway based on the Next Generation Science Standards. Parents MUST understand how the digital badges and data will influence their child’s future. Please read the post: Digital badges and your child’s future and OPPOSE the use of digital badges tied to standards in your child’s classroom.
Information is the BEST weapon in our arsenal to defeat a P-20 centralized national education system from cradle-to-career. We at Stop Common Core in Michigan are committed to keeping you as informed as possible. We understand that the information can be overwhelming. It is often overwhelming for us too! President Obama, Governor Snyder, the Michigan Department of Education, and special interests groups like GLEP and others are working to push this through before parents know anything. But YOUR efforts ARE making a difference. Keep it UP!
==>Get informed and attend the information sessions. Leave comments on the MDE website.
==>Contact the SBE members and let them know you oppose the draft science and social studies standards.
==>Contact your legislators and tell them to pass HB 4144 to prohibit implementation of Next Generation Science Standards. Tell them you want a bill to Repeal and Replace Common Core with standards that are truly the best and controlled by Michigan not outsiders.
==>Contact your legislators and ask them what they are doing to stop the creation of digital badges and credentials to track students throughout their education trajectory. Tell them you OPPOSE HB 4284/85 and SB 169/170 and the creation of a STEM credential.
Together WE CAN make a difference!