Categories
Commnetary Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Math Standards Events Legislative Updates

Yes, MDE there is federal oversight of SBAC

Yesterday at the presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House Joseph Martineau, deputy superintendent of accountability services for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE)  erred when he claimed that there was no federal review team overseeing SMARTER tests.   According to a report by Gongwer, Martineau indicated that, …there is not, as Mr. McMillin […]

Categories
Assessments Information Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Problems

Typing to the Test

In our technology age, learning to type is an important skill.  But is it necessary to learn that skill to a young child in first or second grade?  Thanks to Common Core and the Smarter Balanced Computer Assessments, the answer appears to be “yes.”   The Washington Post reports that students in kindergarten are now learning […]

Categories
Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Problems

MSU Professor Questions CCSS for Writing

In a research paper released today , MSU Professor Gary Troia questions the “effectiveness of the Common Core State Standards in teaching writing.”  I have not read the actual report but according to reporter Brian Smith at MLIVE, “Research published Friday by the National Association of School Psychologists from a Michigan State University education professor […]

Categories
Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Problems

Third graders learn to protest SEIU-style courtesy of Common Core

A common lie spread by those who support the common core is that this is a standard and not a curriculum which they say will be left up to the local districts.   Kyle Olsen at EAG News has it exactly right about how local districts will purchase curriculum under Common Core. “One might argue […]

Categories
Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Math Standards Common Core Problems

Feds a “partner” in SBAC tests

Yesterday, I spoke with a Senate aide regarding Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC) to go with the Common Core standards.   He challenged my assertion that the federal government is developing the tests with SBAC and not just funding them.   I referred him to the technical review announced by the Federal Department of Education last March.  From […]

Categories
Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Math Standards Common Core Problems

Spellbinding Words of Wisdom about Common Core

Last week, the Michigan House voted FOR a resolution that continues the funding for Common Core.  It now goes to the Senate which could vote on the resolution this week.   Before the Senate vote, I encourage lawmakers to watch this video from Bonnie Fisher who testified against Common Core in Indiana.   Fisher has decades of […]

Categories
Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Problems

Governor Snyder do you support porn in our schools?

Eric Owens,  Education Editor at the Daily Caller,  highlights the pornographic book “Dreaming in Cuban” in post titled, “Fifty Shades of the Common Core: how much porn is too much for high schoolers?”  The title is found in the Common Core appendix and read aloud in classrooms. “Dreaming in Cuban” can be found on page […]

Categories
Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Problems

Governor Snyder do you support porn in our schools?

Eric Owen, Education Editor at the Daily Caller, is asking a question that should make most parents cringe, “Fifty Shades of Gray:  how much porn is too much for high schoolers?”      Owen was prompted to ask because of a book recommended in the Common Core and read aloud in a tenth grade classroom in Arizona.   […]

Categories
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 […]

Categories
Commnetary Common Core ELA Standards Common Core Math Standards

Jindal’s Naive on Common Core

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gave a speech at a Redstate gathering on Friday where he addressed the Common Core.   He said, “We will resist any attempt … to impose a national curriculum,” But as the news story points out that “the Jindal administration has been supportive of the standards, with state Education Superintendent John White […]