Common Core Standards: They Are Here!

For quite a while, I have been contemplating whether or not to post to Lexington Patch. As each day passes, and I learn more about Common Core Standards (and realize many parents of school aged children aren't familiar with Common Core) I realized I need to speak up.

Folks, did you know that SC, along with many other states nationwide, adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCCS) for English Language Arts and Mathematics in July 2010, before the standards were even written?  While the 2013-14 school year is a bridge year, full implementation is set to take place in 2014-15. CCCS will transform education, and will ultimately lead to a national curriculum and silence curriculum input from local parents, taxpayers, and educators. Following are other concerns regarding CCCS:

·           Children, and our communities, are unique. Common Core is a one-size-fits all approach.

http://www.nccivitas.org/2013/common-core-imposes-one-size-fits-all-curriculum

·          The standards were created by special interest groups—many with no teaching   experience.  In fact, math and language arts experts refused to sign off.

http://commoncore.fwsites.org/

·           State boards of education approved Common Core-no legislative vote.    

 http://truthinamericaneducation.com/uncategorized/south-carolina-education-committee-vote-calls-common-core-scrutiny/

·          Substantially higher testing costs and other additional expenses for many districts.

www.scribd.com/doc/82477413/Common-Core-State-Standards-Implementation-Cost

·           Data collected on our children to include medical, psychological, and religious information.

http://conservativeteachersofamerica.com/2013/03/13/common-core-is-not-just-about-standards-its-also-about-data-mining/

·           Reduced ability to differentiate for gifted and struggling learners.

http://alabamaeagle.org/2012/04/11/brookings-institute-predicts-common-core-will-have-little-to-no-effect-on-student-achievement

·           Student performance on standardized tests is linked to teacher evaluations.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/04/principal-i-was-naive-about-common-core/

·           Classic literature to be replaced with "informational texts" in language arts.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/common-core-nonfiction-reading-%20standards_n_2271229.html

·           Schools, homeschools, teachers and parents have less control over education.

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/04/states-must-reject-national-education-standards-while-there-is-still-time

·          States have little control over content—they may “augment the standards with an additional 15% of content that a state feels is imperative”. http://www.achieve.org/files/FINAL-CCSSImplementationGuide.pdf (page 23)

 I urge you, as citizens of our great state, and as parents/grandparents, research BOTH sides of Common Core Standards. These standards are being transitioned this year in our schools.

SC needs a statewide panel discussion about Common Core Standards, where both sides are presented. The future of our childrens’ education is not something to take lightly, and our state needs to do all of its homework before proceeding with the full implementation of CCSS.

RE Cambre

Midlands Parents Involved In Education

Concerned Parent