With all that is happening e.g., pandemic and resulting halting of various means of education Common Core appears to have gone to the back of the class. Let us not permit this to occur.
Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? It’s not that there are any, far less easy, answers. Stated simply though, earlier education was basic and academic. Our children read worthwhile literature and were taught to think – not what to think. These students grew into adults, with character and ambition, and built our Country.
Now? For nearly a year our education systems have been a disaster. Sadly, they had a head start. We have long been past ‘local’ control without a federal Department of Education, State Boards and teachers unions. One size does not fit all e.g., Common Core a more recent nightmare, which seems ignored during the current more turbulent pandemic times. We need to return to review, to remember how devastating these programs, set down from on high, have adversely affected the education of our children and go back to taking action.
Understandably we are distracted by virtual learning, hybrid learning or learning at all. Parents who need to have their children in actual school are all but storming school boards – good, about time – to insist that buildings open or that they attempt a plan. That is their purpose.
Recently read where a local board member resigned apparently because of the abuse he was receiving: Calls, emails, visits to his home. Parents and property taxpayers are still paying for education so it is no wonder they expect that it be provided.
A large Midwestern city union board member posts her photo, vacationing on the beach at the Caribbean (still being paid, of course) suggesting that teachers ought not return to schools until they are “safe,” whatever that means. Seriously. Suppose there was a lesson – she wore a floppy hat, the type that prevents sun from adversely affecting ones skin. Oh, not the point.
A Dad speaking to his school board in Virginia suggesting at the very least they determine a plan – ideally one that returns children in the district to school. Because he and other parents have been requesting action, being ignored, this time he becomes a bit emphatic (the tape has gone viral) claiming that if the board cannot do so they should step down because he and a line of other parents waiting to speak, would step up and do so.
While I am serving as a board member I distinctly and unhappily recall that during citizen comments my colleagues aren’t listening rather reading their phones or IPads. Their job is to listen, politely react and attempt to resolve issues parents present. Most members neglect even to say “Thank you.” Unacceptable.
Future. Some parents are organizing learning pods and ignoring the schools that seem to be ignoring them. The best part of this is often neighborhood groups get together, hire tutors and tell them what they want their children to learn. Others who can afford to are transferring their children to private schools. Government school children, teachers seem more and more adrift. They need to get a grip and doing so begins with School Boards and their makeup of members.
Common Core has been and continues to be a distraction from genuine learning. Since the pandemic though some of the Parcc tests have been dropped. Good. Now, about teachers at the behest of their unions refusing to return to school buildings to teach. Can’t blame anyone for concern re a pandemic but a teacher representative claiming fear, visually from her beach vacation lacks sincerity.
How this situation will work itself out remains to be seen. Actually, it cannot ‘work itself’ out. When it comes back to Common Core it is the responsibility of local school board members to simply say “No.” They haven’t yet, but should they still?
Yes.
