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Legislative Updates

FL Gov. Rick Scott rethinking Common Core

As information about the devastating impact of Common Core on children stirs parents  to fight common standards, the political impact is stirring Governors to rethink their state’s involvement in Common Core and assessments.  Given that the Common Core is OWNED by the National Governors Association, it is significant when any of the Governors question their […]

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Commnetary Events Legislative Updates

Rep. McMillin standing firm against Common Core

Rep. Tom McMillin (R) Rochester-Hills has taken a lot of heat from both sides of the political aisle for taking a stand against the Common Core.  Many politicians would be tempted to back down under the pressure.  Instead, Rep. McMillin is doubling down in an op/ed and a live chat in an effort to educate […]

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Common Core Problems Legislative Updates Student Data & Privacy

Gov. Snyder is Outsourcing Student Data

Are you and your children tired of all the high-stakes testing being done in school?  Do you want to provide input on the new computer-adaptive Smarter Balanced Assessments aligned with the Common Core that are coming to your local school?  There will be a public session on the assessments this Wednesday,  Sept 10, 2013.    But […]

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Commnetary Common Core Problems Legislative Updates

Gov. Snyder why are PUBLIC standards PRIVATELY owned?

I had the privilege of being a part of a WOODTV’s Live Town Hall with Governor Snyder.  (Video at link could not be embedded.) My question centered around the fact that when we adopted the Common Core our PUBLIC school standards became PRIVATELY owned by the NGA and the CCSSO.  It appears from Governor Snyder’s […]

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Commnetary Common Core Problems Legislative Updates

Open Letter to Dow CFO J. Donald Sheets (and other execs too.)

Dear Mr. Sheets, Thank you for publicly expressing your thoughts on the Common Core in your recent article, Common Core Standards are common sense. All parents, teachers, and business leaders want children to succeed. But I believe the Common Core is NOT the avenue to success that many promise. As a successful business leader, you […]

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Commnetary Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Math Standards Common Core Problems Legislative Updates

High Expectations for All Students

Melanie Kurdy raises an excellent point about the last hearing… I would like to review a point that was discussed briefly at the July 31 hearing that I believe is very important, “expectations for students”. I believe the debate we are having should be about improving student learning for all children in Michigan.  This is why we are discussing […]

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Events Legislative Updates

Petition to Stop Common Core in Michigan

Ben Lazarus, Warren Consolidated Schools Board of Education Trustee, discusses the Common Core Curriculum in the video below. He has also started a petition asking our lawmakers to vote against the implementation of Common core. Sign Ben Lazarus’s petition to Stop Common Core implementation in Michigan. Here’s the full petition: Petition to Stop the Common […]

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Common Core Problems Legislative Updates

Comments Regarding First Hearing

Melanie Kurdys comments to lawmakers regarding the first hearing….. Thank you all for spending yesterday morning listening to testimony about Common Core.  The two advocates who spoke, Mr. Cohen and Superintendent Flanagan, made their best case as to why this is a good idea.  I appreciate the questions you asked, but it was frustrating that […]

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Events Legislative Updates

July 16 Sub-Committee Hearing on Common Core (video)

  Two speakers FOR the Common Core and none AGAINST intended to give a historical view of the Common Core.   This fact was not lost on Melanie Kurdys who said, “That is very disappointing to me in terms of balance,” Kurdys said. “He’s [Rep. Kelly] assured me that the next meetings will be more balanced.” […]

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Legislative Updates

ACTION ITEMS – CALL OR EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY (Updated)

Update:  June 6, 2013 With the vote of the Michigan Senate this week, Michigan has pause language on Common Core and Smarter Balanced Assessments in the budget.  In summary, it says the pause will remain in effect until the legislature votes to stop the pause.  State Superintendent Flanagan has called for hearings to take place […]