This child is not studying in a Common Core program. Gratefully. School board members hear often, not often enough, from parents about the difficulties their children are suffering through with CC related ‘standards’ lessons. One child I know pulls and pulls at his hair until he has a bald spot. He is eight. His older sister who loves school detests attending now. Parents are crazed. Countless teachers are wary and weary of the standards as well.
No matter, the Federal Department of Education insists. Really? Why even have a school board if local control is all but non existent and they are only going to ‘comply’ with policy sent down through state Ed Departments. Or? Or, no funding. Oh, my.
Guess what, this funding with its controlling regulations is usually unnecessary because property taxes primarily fund district schools. At least 80 plus percent of district support comes from homeowners. Gifts from local businesses or individuals sometimes help. How is it then that our intelligent, educated and experienced financial officers cannot better budget? They can if they want to.
Our superintendent praises the program. He is paid to. He gets to the part about the importance of having children across the Country all reaching common standards, oh, and at the same ages and grades at the same time. I suggest that EPA standard regulations for all bodies of water do not work well for the Pacific Ocean, Mississippi River and Lake Superior, e.g., one size does not fit all. Another time he tries to tell us that Common Core begins with the concerns and wishes of the Governors Association. Not true. He tells another board member who has long been a high school science teacher that the new science standards are not CC. Yes, they are.
The purpose of electing a school board is so that its members know or learn the truth and are willing to stand up to its administration and, the government, when need be. It is essential, too, that parents and district residents understand this and communicate clearly and frequently with board members if expectations for the proper academic education of our children are to be realized on a local level as is intended.
If CC is permitted by us to continue our children and grandchildren will be uneducated and malleable ensuring a frightening future. Our School Boards are not standing up for us – we need to repeatedly remind members it is their responsibility to do so.