According to a new study published by the Pioneer Institute, the Common Core State Standards lack proper validation. A press release from the Pioneer Institute states that,
“Five of the 29 members of the Common Core Validation Committee refused to sign a report attesting that the standards are research-based, rigorous and internationally benchmarked. The report was released with 24 signatures and included no mention that five committee members refused to sign it, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.
No member of the Validation Committee had a doctorate in English literature or language and only one held a doctorate in math. He was one of only three members with extensive experience writing standards. Two of the three refused to sign off on the standards.
“Since all 50 states have had standards for a decade or more, there is a pool of people out there experienced in writing English and math standards,” said Ze’ev Wurman, author of “Common Core’s Validation: A Weak Foundation for a Crooked House.” “It’s unclear why so few of them were tapped for the Common Core Validation Committee.”
The Pioneer Institute study adds to the mounting evidence that adopting the Common Core in 2010 was a hasty decision for Michigan and must be repealed.
In March of 2013, Wurman and Stotsky, two members of the CCSS validation committee who refused to sign-off on the standards testified in Lansing in support of HB 4276. The bill introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45th District) seeks to repeal Common Core in Michigan. Unfortunately, HB 4276 languishes in the Education Committee chaired by Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-86th District). Parents want HB 4276 out of committee for a vote and Common Core out of Michigan!
We must make Common Core the litmus test issue for the upcoming election. Senators and Representatives who refused to take a stand against Common Core must be voted out of office and replaced with candidates who are firmly against Common Core and will take action.
You can watch the video of the March 2013 hearing below. Sandra Stotsky at about 34 minutes, Ze’ev Werman next and then at about 52 Q&A with experts.