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Assessments Information Common Core Problems Student Data & Privacy

Stop Common Core Action Plan

Action Plan for Parents and Concerned Citizens: 1.  For parents, opt-out of ALL  Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC).  The  field assessments begin next week, March 24.  These are pilot assessments for the benefit of corporate profiteers and DC.  There should be no consequences to your child for opting out.  Here’s a form you can print out […]

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Commnetary Common Core Problems

The Assessment Landscape

A “must-see” thirteen minute video that presents the serious  issues with common standards and standardized tests. “Where is the evidence that a centralized system is better than local control?” ~  Chris Tienke Please share with your family and friends. Parents not  politicians and should be guiding the most important decisions in a child’s life.    In […]

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Assessments Information Commnetary Common Core Problems Legislative Updates Uncategorized

Where’s the transparency?

Trying to piece together the events in Lansing today is not easy but the net result seems to be clear, the implementation of Common Core will go forward but questions about the assessments and SBAC remain. Last week, the Senate cowardly gaveled through resolution S-4 as a substitute resolution to HCR-11 previously passed by the […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Common Core Problems Legislative Updates

Michigan DoE plans to shut down website (Updated)

UPDATE: Lori Higgins at The Detroit Free Press has rewritten the original article to say that the website can stay up.  Kurt Weiss, spokesman for the technology, management and budget department said. Not only will the site remain up, Weiss said, but there is also no need to remove any Common Core materials. However, the […]

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Common Core Math Standards Common Core Problems Events Legislative Updates

Joint Hearing on Common Core Scheduled

As you may know a Common Core resolution passed the House last Thursday.  Their affirmative action moves us another step closer to refunding the Common Core in Michigan.  You can see who voted how here.  Yes, only 21 Republicans voted against Common Core.  They believe the big business Roundtable and their education establishment rather than […]

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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 […]