Common Core: Education Salvation or Commie Core?

Common Core: Education Salvation or Commie Core?

Many States in the U.S. are implementing a new teaching methodology and set of standards called Common Core. I have been observing the pros and cons and arguments on both sides. Given my usual distrust of big government solutions, my predilection is to identify with the anti-CC side. But people I respect (like Mike Huckabee) are supportive of it.

In California, CC has being implemented swiftly and without feedback from the voters. CA stands to get a lot of money from the Feds and no doubt that is a driver. I spoke to Mr. Garagarza last week, the principle of the new Sierra Foothills Charter School in Mariposa, who said he liked CC. Of course our conversation was very limited.

Today I came across this video from Utah. It contains the best description of reasons and philosophy of why one should appose CC that I have seen to date. I would love to hear Nancy's take on this, if she has time to watch it. Also Alice, if you are watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TYj-HDDrL4w#t=3533

Also see this video by a high school grad of excellence: http://dailycaller.com/2014/01/06/watch-another-high-school-student-take-down-common-core-like-a-boss/

Here is a video that discusses the CC standards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EXf91AGW2QA#t=114

For me the greatest danger presented here is loss of local control. The statement that elected school boards no longer represent citizens as concerns education is terrifying.

Now, why should I care? I don't have kids in school. Only my taxes are at risk. Not so fast: I hope to have grandkids one day and they will be affected. I have friends whose kids are being affected. I have a love for this country and I fear for the future of the Constitutional process when oligarchies (private companies and organizations as well as political leadership cabals) can take over education, on the belief that they are the holders of the keys to the perfect utopia.

Now, you might say, "Jay, you're being a scare monger."  Maybe, maybe not.  I have recently begun to apply this test to things:  "What if only 50% of what they are saying is true or applicable?"  Wouldn't you still have to say there is something to be concerned about here? 

One last thing:  CC includes a cradle to career student data collection scheme, with little security and broad distribution to data users.  They accomplished this by changing the definitions of privacy law to become broad based and squishy.  Watch the last video at minute 50. 

A last video by a Professor of Education Daniel Coupland at Hillsdale College: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDSvvyjsXSk