When someone asks me about the issue of Common Core, I have to ask, which issue?
•The fact that they were written by trade organizations and not educators?
•The fact that the were adopted without legislative approval?
•The fact that they are inappropriate standards for early childhood?
•The fact that they are lower standards than many of the standards we had in place?
•The fact that they have no projected cost analysis?
•The fact that they collect data on my children and family without my permission?
•The fact that they include questions on tests that are inappropriate for my children?
•The fact that they may be in violation of three federal laws governing education?
•The fact that personal information is being sold to testing companies for profit?
•The fact that teachers are being evaluated on the outcome of questionable and unproven tests?
•The fact that school boards have lost all control over their schools?
•The fact that the government changed laws to release personal data to virtually anyone?
•The fact that these standards will not prepare students for a STEM career?
•The fact that the methods used in math are frustrating, senseless and unproven?
•The fact that they push the math sequence down by one year essentially eliminating Calculus in high school?
•The fact that parents aren’t allowed to see the test results?
•The fact that the teachers don’t have and don’t understand the curriculum they’ve been forced to teach?
•The fact that no one knows about what is happening in our schools?
Now, which issue would you like to start with?
That is the issue with Common Core.
Adapted from NY Against Common Core.