Parents, your children have a “Right-to-Learn” and not be treated like a commodity to be tested, tracked, and shipped like a UPS package to their final destination in the global economy. As the parent, you have the authority to stop the Common Core chaos and the high-stakes assessments that do not reflect your values and wastes precious classroom time. Michigan law recognizes that the parent has the natural and fundamental right to direct their child’s education.
THE REVISED SCHOOL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 451 of 1976 380.10 Rights of parents and legal guardians; duties of public schools. [M.S.A. 15.4010 ] Sec. 10. It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children. The public schools of this state serve the needs of the pupils by cooperating with the pupil’s parents and legal guardians to develop the pupil’s intellectual capabilities and vocational skills in a safe and positive environment. HistoryAdd. 1995, Act 289, Eff. July 1, 1996
Information is powerful. Michigan law states that the schools serve the needs of students by cooperating with YOU not the federal government or private interests. The federal government is overseeing the assessments (PA
RCC and SBAC) that are aligned to the Common Core and the assessment of choice by the Michigan Department of Education. ACT, Inc. was a partner in the development of the Common Core and is trying to monopolize and control all the assessments in Michigan. Neither the SBAC or the ACT, Inc. is a solution for Michigan.
Any assessment used in a public school should be controlled by Michigan. Period.
The legislature is holding informational hearings but shows no signs of stopping the Common Core or related assessments. They appear to be content to let the federal government and outside interests dictate what happens in Michigan schools. Governor Snyder has aligned with Obama administration education agenda and supports the Common Core.
Thankfully, you do not have to wait for school officials, the Michigan Department of Ed, the Michigan legislature, or Governor Snyder to act; you can opt-out of any assessment and assignment you feel does not develop your child’s intellectual capabilities and skills in a safe and positive environment. Michigan law is on YOUR side. You are NOT alone. Resistance is growing. Parents across the nation in every state are opting out.
Stop Common Core in Michigan hosted a conference call talking on opting out.
Here is a recording of the conference call
Here is a slide show of the presentation in PDF that was presented in the call.
https://stopcommoncoreinmichigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Conference-Call-Final.pdf
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Below is an opt-out you can print and take to your child’s school. Please feel free to add or change as necessary. It’s time stand-up and tell lawmakers and policy makers our children have a Right-to-Learn!