Lobbyists are working overtime to pressure lawmakers to continue funding the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC). MIRS News Service reports, “A coalition of around 40 education and business groups are putting on a “full court” press to get the Smarter Balanced assessment for K-12 schools funded for the coming 2014-15 school year. Education Trust-Midwest, a non-profit […]
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 […]
As most of you know, House Concurrent Resolution, HCR 0011, approved Common Core as the standards for Michigan math & English, last fall. HCR 0011 alllowed the implementation to move forward but the resolution also provided flexibility to local districts to deviate from the standards. However, the hammer behind the standards is the assessment, which […]
After holding joint committee hearings earlier this year to review the assessments to be used with Common Core, it appears the House may not have the votes to continue funding the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC). Here’s key excerpts from MIRS News, “The language, which the committee inserted in an education omnibus budget bill today, would […]
It appears the Fordham Foundation is getting a bit frustrated with the rising opposition to the Common Core. In a recent article Chester Finn, Jr. went so far as to ask if “opting out” of testing is “acceptable” and speculated that it is “probably illegal.” “The opt-out-of-state-testing movement has notched more wins lately. “Thousands,” we […]
Susan Kimball, a kindergarten teacher, testified in a Missouri hearing against Common Core. With a shaky voice and tears in her eyes Kimball described how she was being bullied by her administrators not to say anything negative. Via Missouri Education Watchdog: “I have been strongly discouraged from saying anything negative about Common Core by my […]
Nothing about Common Core infuriates parents more than how politicians and pundits dehumanize our children with their rhetoric. Human capital, worker pipeline, and talent pool are frequently used phrases to justify reforms and increased spending so that the state or business receives a maximum “return on their investment.” It’s all about economic success and […]
On Monday, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a bill to repeal Common Core. From the Indianapolis Star “Less than four years after Indiana became an early adopter of the national Common Core education standards, Gov. Mike Pence signed legislation Monday making Indiana the first state to opt out of the controversial school guidelines. But the […]
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 […]
They told us if we adopted the Common Core we were not going to lose control of the classroom or curriculum. They lied. Copyrights, Assessments, and Czars all mean more centralized control. Once local control is lost it will never be regained. Teachers and parents must take a stand now and opt out or education […]