After the September 1 Michigan Department of Education information session in Detroit, I wrote about a conversation Northville parent Tamara Carlone had with State Board of Education member Eileen Wieser. After the event, Carlone showed Weiser numerous factual errors in the draft of the Social Studies Standards. For instance, stating we are a “constitutional democracy” (page 2) and then a “democratic republic.” (page 3)
Weiser did not seem to have a clue about their content. In my post, “It’s a Republic, Ms. Weiser, if you can keep it!” I said, “it is unbelievable that an elected official charged with the task of considering whether to adopt a new set of social studies standards did NOT appear to know our form of government or the content of the social studies standards. ”
We must have touched a nerve.
Weiser wrote an article published in the Detroit News I found the article a confusing ramble of thoughts grasping for a logical conclusion. She seems to affirm the need for the improved standards while also stating that home-school students have a “singular advantage” over public school students because their learning takes place in the context of every day life. Somehow she equates the home-school advantage into the need for the new standards. She states,
“They expand instruction to include a larger vision of the relationships between subjects and the real world. They include updated facts and information that reflect current research.”
It all sounds great until we remember that some of those “updated facts”include the idea that we are a “constitutional democracy” or a “democratic republic.” Weiser never addresses those facts or Carlone’s conversation which likely prompted writing this article. Weiser never cites one problem with the standards but states that there are concerns that “demand review.”
“MDE staff are working intensely to create the best education standards possible. Are there mistakes? 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; at the Sept. 2 Michigan Science Center hearing, they answered as many questions as time allowed, and repeatedly urged participants to continue giving additional written comment during and after the session.
That’s strong language but why not tell us what they are so we can help make sure the concerns are addressed? Transparency and accountability are an absolute necessity. Weiser is encouraging people to continue to go to the info sessions because the “MDE is listening.” I’m not convinced because so much of this process and the information sessions largely been the MDE talking and “we the people” listening. We have her attention but I’m not sure that will translate into action by the MDE or other board members.
Weiser then asks the question on many parents’ minds “Will SBE members make sure the final standards are appropriate for Michigan children?”
It’s a simple “yes” or “no” question that SHE asked. But instead of a “yes” or “no” answer, Weiser states, “We come from many different backgrounds — six Democrats and two Republicans. But we all have the best interests of Michigan’s children and their future at the heart of our oath of office.”
That answer is just not good enough, Ms. Weiser. This isn’t a partisan issue. The US Constitution in Article IV section 4 states, “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,” and that is what should be taught to Michigan students.
Along with posting the article at the Detroit News, Weiser also sent both me and Carlone a similar private email stating the MDE was correcting the “constitutional democracy” issue. Oddly, that was something that she left out of the article. Carlone’s response to her email is spot on!
Eileen Weiser – The State Board of Ed, knowing of the inherent and obvious problems with the standards, needs to stop the process, make the changes from the bottom up and top down and then public comment needs to open back up on the actual proposed standards. I pointed out MANY problems you agreed with and that is great but making one or two changes when the foundation is flawed will not get our children the excellent education they deserve. MI students deserve to go from bad to best not bad to worse. Current bill Gary Glenn is sponsoring will give MI highly rated and proven standards for all core subjects. These standards are linked to Common Core standards and people all over the country and all over MI HATE them! Repeal and Replace CC and for goodness sake – do not give us more poor standards!”
Ms. Weiser and the MDE I hope you’re listening. The social studies standards are built on the flawed premise inherent in the C3 Framework. Correcting the error means starting with a NEW framework not simply changing a few words here and there. This is too important. The future of our Constitutional Republic depends on it.