Dear Michigan Lawmakers: Education Savings Accounts (ESA) are becoming very popular with Republicans in Congress and state lawmakers. As a homeschool parent and education activist, I oppose ESA, so do many grassroots homeschoolers and groups around the country. Homeschoolers know that the state does not give us choices; it can only limit them. We are […]
Author: Karen Braun
Karen Braun is a writer and conference speaker on issues related education and family life. Her work has appeared in the American Thinker, Crosswalk, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, WatchDog Wire, and various other websites and magazines. She has also appeared on TV and radio venues. Along with blogging, Karen also enjoys homeschooling, running marathons, and spending time with her husband, their six children, and two grand children. For more information please contact Karen at spunkyhomeschool at gmail dot com
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Common Core Confusion
In recent weeks, several confusing and conflicting statements about Common Core have been made by some very influential people. Let’s take a look…. Confusing Statement #1: ESSA “essentially does away with the notion of a Common Core.” U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos. That is what Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos told Frank Beckmann on Detroit’s […]
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Call to Action on ESSA
Hello Education Activists! As if we don’t have enough going on, now we MUST respond to the Michigan Department of Education on their Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) 10 year plan no later than March 16. This plan defines education as workforce development, is based on Common Core and massive data collection on our kids […]
Update: The Michigan Competitiveness Committee is scheduled to hold another hearing this Wednesday at Noon in the Anderson Building room 510. Please contact Committee Chair Lee Chatfield and tell him to pass HB 4192 out of committe. Common Core is more than just standards. We cannot let lobbyists and special interests drown out our voice. […]
Representative Gary Glenn has introduced legislation, HB 4192, to Repeal and Replace Common Core, science, social studies, and assessments. Glenn’s bill is co-sponsored by 26 Republican and two Democratic members of the House. “Michigan students deserve the best standards, proven by actual test results,” Glenn said. “And ultimately, our own local school boards and educational […]
The vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education is expected early this week. DeVos needs 51 “yes” votes to be confirmed. Currently, the Senate is split at 50 – 50 after two Republicans defected. Unless there are more defections from Republicans, Vice-President Pence will be called upon to break the […]
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DeVos vote expected early next week
The confirmation of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education has become the most contentious of all of President Trump’s nominees. A full Senate vote is expected early next week. DeVos needs 51 votes to be confirmed. Currently, the Senate is split at 50 – 50 after two Republicans defected and announced this week that […]
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Is the DeVos nomination in trouble?
Several recent developments in the DeVos confirmation for Secretary of Education are making many wonder if the DeVos nomination is in trouble? After a disastrous first hearing on January 17, the vote for her confirmation was scheduled for January 24. The vote has now been postponed until January 31 but that could change again. Democrats […]
How did Devos do in her Senate Confirmation hearing? Not well. DeVos was as much hiding Republican supported policies as the Democrats were looking for gotcha moments. Senator Lamar Alexander appeared interested in protecting the damsel in distress and her policies than in truly vetting her ideas and policies. He limited questioning to one round of […]
The confirmation hearings for Betsy DeVos, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, was scheduled for Wednesday, January 11. It has been postponed until January 17. We oppose the DeVos nomination. Our reasons are included in a previous post, “Stop Common Core in Michigan respectfully request President-elect Trump to “drain the swamp” and pull the plug […]