Common Core Socialized Education

[Christel]

I wonder how many U.S. LDS parents realize what Common Core education is. Most of the United States have adopted it, incentivized by federal bribes, yet it takes away our local decision making power, and we cannot alter these common standards because they are under copyright by D.C. groups, and the federal government put a 15% cap on them, meaning we can't raise them more than 15% even if our kids are dumbed down by the common standards. It's a terrible affront to our Constitutional rights, and it's under the public radar (mainstream) so few people even know about it. Worst of all, it violates privacy rights because the common tests collect data and ship it way beyond the district and state level to all "stakeholders" including corporate and federal entitites. As soon as I found out about Common Core, I began to ask my Governor, state school board, local school board, local teachers, other parents, and even the Attorney General questions. Most did not want to talk about it. They are stonewalling, which makes me think it's ever so important to get us free by getting more people aware of what Common Core does to education and to freedom. Stop Common Core is a series of videos that a group of women in Georgia created, which teaches a lot about the Common Core that you can't find at the U.S. Dept. of Education website. Heritage Foundation and Pioneer Institute also have a lot of research on the subject.

[MsEva]

I wonder how many U.S. LDS parents realize what Common Core education is. Most of the United States have adopted it, incentivized by federal bribes, yet it takes away our local decision making power, and we cannot alter these common standards because they are under copyright by D.C. groups, and the federal government put a 15% cap on them, meaning we can't raise them more than 15% even if our kids are dumbed down by the common standards. It's a terrible affront to our Constitutional rights, and it's under the public radar (mainstream) so few people even know about it. Worst of all, it violates privacy rights because the common tests collect data and ship it way beyond the district and state level to all "stakeholders" including corporate and federal entitites. As soon as I found out about Common Core, I began to ask my Governor, state school board, local school board, local teachers, other parents, and even the Attorney General questions. Most did not want to talk about it. They are stonewalling, which makes me think it's ever so important to get us free by getting more people aware of what Common Core does to education and to freedom. Stop Common Core is a series of videos that a group of women in Georgia created, which teaches a lot about the Common Core that you can't find at the U.S. Dept. of Education website. Heritage Foundation and Pioneer Institute also have a lot of research on the subject.

Thanks for sharing! I agree with you and Ben that gov't/public school has been dumbing down the children for a long time and the curriculum is horrible!

[Christel]

For those who agree that Common Core is socialism, have you called the Governor's office and spoken your mind? Have you contacted the state and local school boards? Positive and decisive action is the only hope we have for a brighter future for children in public schools. Call our Utah governor: 801-538-1000. Write to your state school board. [email protected] --Contact the Utah State Office of Education. [email protected] and [email protected] is the public relations person for the Utah State Office of Education. A senator who is on the Senate Education Committee (and who works for Pearson Education) is Senator Aaron Osmond: [email protected]

These are kind people. They are not the enemy. But they need to know that we feel that the direction they are being led, and are leading us in, is not correct.

[SmallFarm]

For those who agree that Common Core is socialism, have you called the Governor's office and spoken your mind? Have you contacted the state and local school boards? Positive and decisive action is the only hope we have for a brighter future for children in public schools. Call our Utah governor: 801-538-1000. Write to your state school board. [email protected] --Contact the Utah State Office of Education. [email protected] and [email protected] is the public relations person for the Utah State Office of Education. A senator who is on the Senate Education Committee (and who works for Pearson Education) is Senator Aaron Osmond: [email protected]

These are kind people. They are not the enemy. But they need to know that we feel that the direction they are being led, and are leading us in, is not correct.

All public schooling is socialism. I doubt I'd convince anyone to stop taxing me for it though.

[Etosha]

I don't really know too much about it but I know alot of teachers and they seem to like it. I was told our new curriculum for the YM and YW and Sunday School is alot like it - am I wrong? What exactally is the core curriculum? (I wish there was a spell check on here!)

[uglypitbull]

What exactally is the core curriculum?

Its a federally mandated curriculum, as opposed to one created by each state. It will now be easier to revise history and breed a more compliant and obedient servitude than in previous decades. Its not education.....its propagandized programming.
Basically DC will now determine what kids learn in schools these days.....just take a look at what they teach in NY and CA schools to get a better idea of what your kids will now be learning. Got a state that wont comply? No problem....no federal funds (aka extortion)

[karend77]

My daughter quit being a teacher in Texas, mostly out of frustration in not being able to teach the kids. It has become non-nonsensical, feel good babysitting. Her district doesnt even give grades to the middle schoolers- what a joke. There is no attempt to teach them critical thinking. My daughter is seriously considering home-schooling her kids, or private school, if they can financially do it.

Try to make sense of the Utah core curriculum:
http://www.uen.org/core/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[singyourwayhome]

I pulled my daughter out of public school yesterday. It was something I'd been considering for the last few years.

Still have a few in there, but I'll take it a step at a time.

I'm concerned that Common Core will eventually reach its tentacles into homeschooling as well.

[uglypitbull]

I pulled my daughter out of public school yesterday. It was something I'd been considering for the last few years.

Still have a few in there, but I'll take it a step at a time.

I'm concerned that Common Core will eventually reach its tentacles into homeschooling as well.

Congratulations.....and yes, CC will apply to homeschooling as well. The UN also has much, much more planned for our kids unfortunately.

[uglypitbull]

whats next? Mandatory vaccines as part of the curriculum?

http://washingtonexaminer.com/private-f ... le/2521340" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Education watchdogs are raising concerns over the Gates Foundation’s involvement in shaping public education policy, saying the private foundation’s influence in public education policy interferes with the democratic process and local input.

[uglypitbull]

For those of you who live in Arizona.......

RAPID RESPONSE - ALL HANDS ON DECK!! Less Than 2 Weeks to STOP Common Core - the Federal Takeover of Arizona’s K-12 Education - NO on HB2047 in the Senate
Background:
What’s The Common Core Movement?
Essentially, it is the federal government’s plan to control the K-12 education system in the US by nationalizing education, state-by-state, including Arizona.
You haven’t heard about it?
Common Core is a requirement to participate in the Race To The Top federal grant program, 46 states signed on without knowing what Common Core was.
Standards were accepted by the Governor and the State Board of Education adopted it.
Implementation has begun under the radar. All occurred with no public debate or parental input.
What’s Wrong With That? The Common Core Movement is a Trojan Horse:
The Common Core Movement has 3 parts – The Standards, The PARCC Assessment (test replacing AIMS) & The Curriculum.
Each part is “aligned” or moves in relationship to the other. The point of the Standards/Assessment is to drive Curriculum/content choices, this is by design.
Standards are Mediocre Quality – “Internationally Benchmarked”? Only Math and English are written, all subjects eventually will be included and the state can only add 15%.
70% of all reading will be non-fiction, not classics. Algebra 1 is delayed from 8th to 9th grade. Estimations say US students may be 2 years behind other countries.
PARCC (Partnership Assessment for College & Career Readiness) Not Completed - only exists in prototype form, no finished product, reliant on technology to fully implement, tests given multiple times in a school year, but there is no final cost analysis. Scores are expected to go down (as has occurred in Kentucky and Georgia).
Curriculum – They say “It’s Voluntary”? The Standards/Assessment/Curriculum are a matrix, binding them together. Standards alone won't make a difference, you need curriculum, instruction, professional development and assessments that embody the standards. Most schools will eventually be convinced to use the curriculum to align with Standards and testing, we do not have control. Most classic literature will be replaced by “informational texts” such as technical manuals. The goal is less textbooks more technology.
Costs Open-Ended & Unfunded Mandates, for implementation, administrative & teacher training, testing, text books, technology (online testing, hardware, software, digital curriculum and data tracking). No cost analysis by Legislature.
Federal v. State Control – They say it is written by the states?
Primarily drafted by a DC based non-profit called Achieve Inc., working with the National Governors Association & the Council of Chief State School Officers, without legislative authority and limited input from the states, gives the appearance of a state generated initiative.
Federal government grants support the groups writing the Common Core, the Department of Education promotes it and the Race To The Top grant program requires it.
Gains in AZ school choice options will be setback – Charter schools are required to adopt Common Core
State Sovereignty Issues – The US Constitution does not refer to education, so education decisions defer to the states. Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina said, “Just as we should not relinquish control of education to the federal government, neither should we cede it to the consensus of other states.”
Collecting Student Data – States assist the larger federal goal of the long term tracking of a child from birth to workforce by tracking student performance and “other” data then providing it to the Departments of Education, Homeland Security and Labor.
The Good News: We Can STOP the Train (We’re Not Alone – Other States are Rejecting or Debating Common Core
Our Challenge: TIME, We Have Less than 2 Weeks and we need 16 Senators to Vote NO
What You Can Do: The general public doesn't know about Common Core, so virtually no opposition has been expressed to the Governor or Legislature.
The PARCC Assessment portion, HB2047 – Pupil Assessments/AIMS Transition was passed in the House with a majority of Republicans voting YES, only 9 voted against it, Steve Smith one of the most Conservative House members, voted NO. We have recourse:
STOP HB2047 from being passed in the AZ Senate
The Senate will vote on the Assessment within 2 weeks. If passed, we essentially are giving state control to the federal government. Most Republicans are expected to vote yes.
WE NEED 16 SENATORS to VOTE NO
WE NEED 100’s of emails/phone calls. Call first and urge ALL the Senators to VOTE NO on HB2047, then email them. Please distribute to everyone you know.

[ebenezerarise]

No doubt that CC has its agenda. But it is so far completely unenforceable in homeschooling efforts. We began homeschool our kids in 1994 and we took all kinds of heat for it. We were looked at as freaks. In some circles, we still are.

But we've never once regretted it, despite our feelings of inadequacy in getting the job done. Our eldest is 27, educated and thriving in a career. Our others are progressing with all the typical trials that teens go through. But we're escaping the issues with indoctrination and working to establish free thinkers.

[uglypitbull]

No doubt that CC has its agenda. But it is so far completely unenforceable in homeschooling efforts. We began homeschool our kids in 1994 and we took all kinds of heat for it. We were looked at as freaks. In some circles, we still are.

But we've never once regretted it, despite our feelings of inadequacy in getting the job done. Our eldest is 27, educated and thriving in a career. Our others are progressing with all the typical trials that teens go through. But we're escaping the issues with indoctrination and working to establish free thinkers.

Good on you ebenezerarise, and just as in Lehi's dream.....there will be those who mock us from the great and spacious building. Pay no heed whatsoever to them.

PS: Its only unenforceable because it hasn't been fully implemented yet.

[Rose Garden]

I fail to see how any educational system could be fully enforceable in homeschooling. Although they may mandate certain things be taught, there is no reason why homeschooling parents can't teach good principles and then simply prepare their children for any tests required with the understanding that it is test preparation and not necessarily important to real life.

My children are in school right now because my present situation dictates it. But even so, I feel no fear for my children's education. I have the final say and they have learned to listen to me above other voices. When something they learn contradicts with what I say, they ask questions and think. Thinking is a good thing.

I don't expect them to be in public school much longer and perhaps I would worry more if I thought they would be there in the teen years, but for now, I'm not afraid. I feel secure in my role as a parent. I know I have tried my best to show love to my children and no government program of any kind can displace that. When push comes to shove, love wins out.

I guess what I'm saying is that, yes, this is reason for concern, but we have the tools to combat it within our reach. Any time I contemplate trying to turn the political tide, I am filled with frustration, because as a busy mom, I have almost no power to affect anything, even on the local level. But as a mom, I have the power to shape my life and my family. I acknowledge this power comes from God and that I am nothing without Him. But with Him, let the government throw any barrier in the way they will and I will still overcome. Nothing can overcome the power of God.

[uglypitbull]

I fail to see how any educational system could be fully enforceable in homeschooling. Although they may mandate certain things be taught, there is no reason why homeschooling parents can't teach good principles and then simply prepare their children for any tests required with the understanding that it is test preparation and not necessarily important to real life.

http://www.utahnsagainstcommoncore.com/ ... schoolers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/201003310.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/2012/201212170.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess what I'm saying is that, yes, this is reason for concern, but we have the tools to combat it within our reach. Any time I contemplate trying to turn the political tide, I am filled with frustration, because as a busy mom, I have almost no power to affect anything, even on the local level.

You have a lot more power to affect things at a local level than you think. I find that one of the biggest hurdles is that people don't talk to each other out of fear....fear of being labeled a nutjob, or a kook. You would be surprised at how many people feel the same way you do, but together you can make all the difference you need to at ANY level. It starts with a conversation.

[Rose Garden]

I'm already considered a nutjob by a lot of people, no fear of that in me. What I am trying to say is that we parents have more power than we think to steer our children in the right direction because we love them more than anyone else. Unless they completely take my children away from me, I don't see how they can limit my effect that I have on my children, even if they are required to attend public school everyday.

As for local influence, I don't believe anything will change until our hearts in general are turned toward other people rather than our own selfish interests. It is selfish interests that has caused every injustice in our system, including this one. Parents have turned their educational responsibilities over to the government, generally speaking, instead of shouldering them themselves, and that is why we are in this mess in the first place. The best way for me to combat that is to take responsibility for my own children first, and then as I learn the principles of how to do this, pass them on to whoever is interested. This goal takes much of my time and so I don't spend a lot of time on political campaigns. I believe the difference will be made in the way it has always been made, one by one. So I leave mass campaigning to other people who believe in those things. I've already spent as much time as I care to on those types of efforts. My focus has now changed to my family members and friends.

[skmo]

It's called government education. ALL government schools are "socialized education" and evil.

I don't know that I'd use the word "evil" but I see a lot of bad things happening in our schools. As a public school teacher, I can honestly say the kids aren't going to be indoctrinated in my class. I scatter all manner of viewpoints in my lessons, I don't really push anything except respect for freedom and respect for others.

I learned a good lesson from one of my Ricks College History professors. We often had very political discussions in class, the students overwhelmingly displayed a conservative bent. However, he was always very neutral in his input even though I knew he personally had much more liberal views. I occasionally went to his office during his established hours to talk with him, I asked him about this as it was the exception rather than the rule with liberal professors. He said it was his job to instruct us with the curriculum and help us learn to be analytical, not make us believe the things he did. He said he knew that our life experiences would help us decide who we were, that it went beyond his duties as a teacher. I respected him even more after.

[skmo]

We began homeschool our kids in 1994 and we took all kinds of heat for it...

As a public school teacher, I know the many arguments of the benefits of homeschooling: parents can do a better job, the socialization issues can be handled, it produces more free-thinkers, kids have fewer harmful influences, blah, blah, blah...

I agree with them. Completely.

[ebenezerarise]

Most of my family on both sides are educators. They pressure from them then was tremendous. We have kept the kids involved in some things with the schools -- certain programs -- and over time we have seen a growing exasperation with the system internally by both teachers and administrators generally. The longer termed educators specifically...their hands are tied in so many areas.

But the pressures on homeschoolers to conform to "standards" is growing. I'm not certain my children will be able to homeschool my grandchildren...and that's concerning me.