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Critical factors to consider on assessments

Michigan lawmakers in several committees are considering which assessment to use in Michigan.   They are holding hearings to help make their decision.  The next hearing is February 5, 2014 at 2:30 PM.   The joint committee meeting will be held at the Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower, 124 W. Allegan, Lansing, MI. The decision […]

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George Will’s opinion on Common Core (and why it matters)

In an opinion piece for the Washington Post, George Will surveys the political landscape in opposition to Common Core and sees some “healthy aspects of today’s politics.” “The rise of opposition to the Common Core illustrates three healthy aspects of today’s politics. First, new communication skills and technologies enable energized minorities to force new topics […]

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Upcoming Meetings and Events

The fight to defeat the Common Core  and assessments continues.   A Joint Committee Meeting is scheduled to hear a presentation by the Michigan Department of Education on the Report on Options for Assessments Aligned with the Common Core the State Standards. DATE: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 TIME: 2:30 PM or after committees are given leave […]

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Rep. Tim Kelly admits Common Core may not work and promotes vouchers

Just a few short months ago, after a heated, summer debate on Common Core, Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw) a staunch supporter of Common Core drafted a concurrent resolution that allowed Common Core implementation to go forward.  At that time,  Rep. Kelly told reporters at the Detroit News, “I think that we want to get this […]

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An Open Letter to Secretary Duncan

In response to Secretary of Education Duncan’s thoughts regarding mothers who oppose the Common Core. Dear Secretary of Education Duncan: Mr. Duncan, you and the feds may control the purse strings but WE (moms of every color and location) control our “brilliant” children’s shoe strings. We have the final authority and we’re saying “no” to […]

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Duncan says pushback is from “white suburban moms”

In his never ending attempt to defend the abysmal Common Core, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told state superintendents that  the push back on Common Core is from “white suburban moms.” Education Secretary Arne Duncan told an audience of state superintendents this afternoon that the Education Department and other Common Core supporters didn’t fully anticipate […]

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Alabama abolishes Common Core agreement, but what does it accomplish?

Via WVTM-TV News:   “The state of Alabama has opted out of participating in the Common Core English and mathematics standards.” Last month, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice proposed rescinding the 2009 Memorandum of Agreement with the National governor’s Association and the Council for Chief State School Officers, “in an effort to reassure the […]

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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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Rethinking the Common Core

Last week, the Michigan Senate hastily gaveled through, S-4, a substitute resolution designed to restart the implementation of the Common Core.  They did so by voice vote without any public hearings on the resolution and no record of how members voted.   The senate decision to push the resolution through is likely because parents and […]

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Senate Roll Call Please!

Yesterday by a voice vote, the Michigan Senate passed a substitute resolution on Common Core.  A voice vote means that no record of how each Senator voted was recorded. According to a report from MLive, “Richardville also said a roll call vote was not taken on the issue because “there didn’t seem to be a […]