New "common core" curriculum in schools?

[A239]

My sister is in first grade and she is being taught a different way to add and multiply. It literally takes half a page for her to add 48+52. They don't teach the carry method anymore and they multiply in these stupid box things that also take up quite a bit of space on the page. The way that they add is they have to make tally marks for each number, and then count them all. Any thoughts on this?

[Pressing-On]

In a nutshell, Common Core is moving educational standards away from local leaders to the Federal government.

There are many people, including some of those in the teacher's unions who are waking up to this being a horrible plan. Mike Huckbee once supported Common Core until he learned more about it.

Texas refuses to support Common Core. :thumbsup Let me edit this to say that even though we have HB 462 which prohibits the SBOE from adopting national curriculum, some of the lessons are showing up in the state. Citizens are being asked to submit verifiable Common Core lessons to the Attorney General's office.

For more information, and there is a lot out there, I will give you an interview and a couple of articles, that get to the point, for your review.

The Fight Against Common Core

Today on the FreedomCast Director of Grassroots at FreedomWorks, Whitney Neal is here to discus the latest developments in the battle against Common Core standards, why even the teacher's unions are acknowledging the botched rollout of this program and what you can do to help stop Common Core in your state.

http://www.freedomworks.org/content/fight-against-common-core

Jeb Bush Has a 'Common Core' Problem

The problem for Bush is that just about everything he says about the standards is untrue. Common Core is a federally promoted, not state-led, initiative introduced in the Obama administration's 2009 stimulus bill through a competitive grant program called Race to the Top (RTTT). Common Core is a set of unproven and untested uniform standards and aligned curricula and testing that allows for a greater role of government in education, higher levels of social engineering, student data collection, and teacher evaluations based on student performance on assessments.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/03/04/Jeb-Bush-Has-A-Common-Core-Problem?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Common Core National Standards and Tests: Empty Promises and Increased Federal Overreach Into Education

Americans who cherish limited government must be constantly vigilant of pushes to centralize various aspects of our lives. Government intervention is a zero-sum game; every act of centralization comes at the expense of liberty and the civil society institutions upon which this country was founded.

Education is no exception.

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/common-core-national-standards-and-tests-empty-promises-and-increased-federal-overreach-into-education?ac=1

[TJJJ]

Homeschooling is still the only way to go.

Parents control all parts of the teaching.

[Pressing-On]

Homeschooling is still the only way to go.

Parents control all parts of the teaching.

I've read that Jeb Bush's support for Common Core will be his Romneycare if he continues. It will be his albatross if he tries to run in 2016.

Common Core eliminates school choice, which is what Obama ran on - no vouchers, no choice. We see why he ran on that idea. They had already planned this initiative before he won the election.

Lots of slick maneuvering behind the scenes.

[Jermyn Davidson]

There needs to be a way to standardize the education systems in our country so that the regional deifferences in education levels and results are not so vast.


I mean, does anyone on here really think that the public schools in New York or Massachussetts are on par with the public schools in South Carolina, Texas, or New Mexico?

Or how about West Virginia schools vs Washington State?

Something should be done, but like with every good idea, the "consquences" associated with the good idea tends to be what derails the good that would come from a good idea if properly executed.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Not saying it doesn't, but how does "common core" eliminate school choice, vouchers for charter schools, etc?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Homeschooling is still the only way to go.

Parents control all parts of the teaching.

If the parents are adequate teachers of scholastics, then it could be a good idea. However, many parents are not adequate in basic parenting, let alone scholastics.

Then, many parents who would be adequate teachers of scholastics are at work, paying for the house, car, groceries, and future college education of their children.

Homeschooling is NOT the cure all.

[Pressing-On]

Not saying it doesn't, but how does "common core" eliminate school choice, vouchers for charter schools, etc?

Because it is tied in with the ACT and SAT tests. You'd have to be fluent in Common Core to pass the tests. IOW, private and charter schools would have a tough time finding textbooks and instructional material that is not designed to comply.

[Pressing-On]

Hillsdale Professor Dr. Terrence Moore: Common Core Destroys Minds and Souls
Takes them down "a depressing path of a prematurely jaded, post-modern, anti-heroic view of life.”

Terrence O. Moore, professor of history at Hillsdale College says that today’s students are not prepared for college:

"The students going off to college these days, at least those who come from the public schools, for the most part, cannot have a serious discussion about even one work of literature. Not one. The freshman year of college… is a crash course in learning how to read and write at anything beyond a basic level. Learning, in short, what high school did not teach you but should have taught you. And the new [Common Core] Standards that we’re talking about are not going to help that. In fact, they will make it worse."

The Common Core will “take away the great stories of the American people and replace them with the stories that fit the progressive liberal narrative of the world.” Moore calls the architects of the Common core story-killers saying, “they’re deliberately killing the greatest stories of the greatest nation in history.” The great works of literature are being replaced by “informational texts” and recent articles written by journalists. Not only are we losing the great works of literature, but, Moore writes in his book, also “what we might call the Great American Story of people longing to be free and happy under their own self-government.” They will be killed by a “deadly combination of neglect, amputation, misinterpretation, subtle and not-so-subtle criticism, and a further dumbing-down of the nation’s classrooms.”

Moore rejects calls for what the so-called experts refer to as “college and career readiness for a 21st century global economy,” asking where we can find the college presidents who are calling for such an education and which schools have tested these new standards. “The 45 states that have adopted the Common core standards with little — almost no — public discussion bought the farm sight unseen.” He explains that attending college and obtaining a career are byproducts of a good education that should include studying truth, beauty, goodness and the virtues of courage, justice, industriousness and prudence.

http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2014/01/27/hillsdale-professor-dr-terrence-moore-common-core-destroys-minds-and-souls/

[Sister Alvear]

Homeschooling...is my opinion...however it is all leading to a one world government..

[Pressing-On]

There needs to be a way to standardize the education systems in our country so that the regional deifferences in education levels and results are not so vast.


I mean, does anyone on here really think that the public schools in New York or Massachussetts are on par with the public schools in South Carolina, Texas, or New Mexico?

Or how about West Virginia schools vs Washington State?

Something should be done, but like with every good idea, the "consquences" associated with the good idea tends to be what derails the good that would come from a good idea if properly executed.

There is already a standardized educational system in our country. Every state has an Educational Scope and Sequence that is required.

Here is the pdf for the Texas educational system:

http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/sfmo/fmcurrguidees.pdf

When you have school choice, you follow the scope and sequence recommended by your state. You are then able to choose which curriculum would best suit your student.

[Pressing-On]

Ben Swann Exposes Common Core Standards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrpjiywhSQU

[Pressing-On]

How States and School Districts Can Opt Out of Common Core
Dr. Sandra Stotsky
Mar 7, 2014

States that want to opt out of the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) and/or the tests aligned to or based on its standards are being threatened by a toothless tiger that doesn’t want the states to know the tiger has no claws.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/03/06/How-States-And-School-Districts-Can-Opt-Out-of-the-Common-Core-Standards?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Jermyn Davidson]

There is already a standardized educational system in our country. Every state has an Educational Scope and Sequence that is required.

Here is the pdf for the Texas educational system:

http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/sfmo/fmcurrguidees.pdf

When you have school choice, you follow the scope and sequence recommended by your state. You are then able to choose which curriculum would best suit your student.


You just proved my point.

Do you honestly believe the public schools in "X" inner-city to be on par with the public schools in "X" very prosperous county?

Do you think the public schools in Texas or New Mexico are on par with the public schools in Maryland or Rhode Island?

I didn't even try to compare Mississippi to any other state...

[Jermyn Davidson]

For the sake of the future of our country, states should be forced to spend more money on educating their children and youth, or as a country, we should find a different way to fund our schools-- of course, we're not just talking about money, we're talking day-to-day operations, teaching techniques, and curriculae.

[Pressing-On]

You just proved my point.

Do you honestly believe the public schools in "X" inner-city to be on par with the public schools in "X" very prosperous county?

Do you think the public schools in Texas or New Mexico are on par with the public schools in Maryland or Rhode Island?

I didn't even try to compare Mississippi to any other state...

I know that when I homeschooled, I was using Saxon Math. My daughter wanted to attend public school (which we allowed her to do) and they were using the same program.

At home, we finished the lessons in one hour or less. In public school, they had a 45 or 50 minute class, and she was bringing home the same math to do at home. How does that happen? What do they do for 45 minutes? How was she able to understand the instructions and complete the lessons at home, but didn't understand after 45 or 50 minutes of whatever they were doing in the public school system? It seems a huge waste of time to me.

There is no excuse for any public school to be behind when you already know what needs to be learned. Everyone knows what is required on a Scope and Sequence. What are they doing with the children that is not allowing them to be educated?

Why are black high school students behind the white kids in middle school? Why are not black leaders crying out about this? It makes me mad and I am not black. Educated people make better citizens and they make better neighbors and it gives every life dignity.

Why are the successful charter schools being axed by Mayor DeBlasio? I'm with one of the parents when she said, "How dare you, Mayor DeBlasio! How dare you!" He is in bed with the progressive union leaders and this current Administration.

[Pressing-On]

For the sake of the future of our country, states should be forced to spend more money on educating their children and youth, or as a country, we should find a different way to fund our schools-- of course, we're not just talking about money, we're talking day-to-day operations, teaching techniques, and curriculae.

More money has proved to be a failure. You don't need more money. You need competition.

[shazeep]

Any thoughts on this?my (childless) thots there are, "if you are not home-schooling your children, you must hate them."

wadr, don't be surprised when they come to hate you.

[KeptByTheWord]

Now the SAT and ACT tests are being designed to comply with the Common Core standards. What this means, is that anyone who homeschools their children, or any private school who does not comply, will find that their children will not be able to pass the SAT/ACT tests, and will not be able to enter colleges/universities.

This is the "back door" method of introducing this humanistic style of teaching to everyone, homeschooled/private/public schools. If higher education is the goal for a child, then Common Core will have to be taught, for anyone to receive further education beyond high school.

This is basically coming through the back door, instead of the front door, to insist that all schools, state-wide comply with the Common Core curriculum. It is a sad day for America for education to come to this!

[KeptByTheWord]

More money has proved to be a failure. You don't need more money. You need competition.

There are many things wrong with the educational system. Educators are realizing that "surprise surprise" all children are not equal. All are not alike. Each child is unique. This is why homeschooling and private schools have been found to be superior in helping children who once were struggling in mainstream public schools.

I read an article in the Reader's Digest recently and it can be found here. http://www.salon.com/2013/08/26/school_is_a_prison_and_damaging_our_kids/ The article is called "School is a Prison."

I think that trying to fit every child into exactly the same mold is what is at the heart of the problem of the public school education system today.

[shazeep]

i guess it might be hard to grasp if one still has trust in the system, but imo the school system is right about where the PtB want it. If that does sound far-fetched to anyone, i could synopse in about two paragraphs the linkages from satan having dominion over education (one of the 'estates') to why you have 'common core.' but an even shorter answer might come from a little informal poll--who that reads this has voted 'for' common core? was there a vote? (i don't know) but it doesn't take a genius to see that a possible reason for the more blatant destructive aspects of our PtB emerging at this time in history is due to satan's having gained a lock on all of the estates...

"We now live in a nation where doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the press destroys information, religion destroys morals, and banks destroy the economy." Chris Hedges

[KeptByTheWord]

Who or what is PtB?

I agree with you that all elements of our country and even the universe itself, to be on a landslide of self-destruction. It appears out of control, and unwilling to even try to right itself.

And, you are right, I think you mentioned in one other post about love. Indeed, the love of God is the greatest force known that can supercede, overcome, and be the greatest power known to man. But, as long as man is intent on humanistic efforts to change the world, the self-destruction will continue.

[shazeep]

Who or what is PtB?
PowersthatBe


I agree with you that all elements of our country and even the universe itself, to be on a landslide of self-destruction. It appears out of control, and unwilling to even try to right itself.and yet all things work together for good.


And, you are right, I think you mentioned in one other post about love. Indeed, the love of God is the greatest force known that can supercede, overcome, and be the greatest power known to man. But, as long as man is intent on humanistic efforts to change the world, the self-destruction will continue. yes, but surely more importantly, when enough men have had enough with a certain form of self destruction, it changes.we are vastly better off than people even 100 years ago in many phychological areas; even as time dilates, and the evil gets more shocking--to us. prolly same as it ever was tho, and we just lack the lifespan to recognize it. there is nothing new under the Sun.

[missourimary]

the tally marks for adding aren't new to common core. They've been being taught for at least several years. I'm not sure where they started but probably have more to do with inclusion and some of it's offshoots.

Common Core is a hot topic right now. Much like Obamacare, many seem to have cheered it's inception but now hate it's progression.

As far as ACT and SAT, no matter what method of problem solving is learned, all a student needs to know is one route to arriving at the right answer. The ACT is multiple choice. How students add doesn't matter, only how quickly they can answer correctly. The new HiSET replaces the GED. I didn't care for the GED but compare it to the HiSET and you'll have a better idea of how tests may be changing. But keep in mind that I got a 29 on the ACT and yet struggled with some of the GED math even 10-15 years ago. Either I overthought it or it was simply very weird. So compare HiSET to GED, not HiSET to old ACT.

[Pressing-On]

Lengthy article, but full of good information.

Crisis for Common Core: Indiana's Uncommon Ruckus Over Education Standards
http://blog.heritage.org/2014/03/11/crisis-common-core/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

[Pressing-On]

Why Is Bill Gates Asked to Defend Common Core Math Standards?

In both interviews, Gates hits some of the usual Common Core talking points: that the standards will make American students competitive globally; that the standards are “rigorous;” that the standards are “just standards, not curriculum;” that the standards came to be when a “bunch of governors” and a “bunch of teachers met with some experts” to create them.

The facts are that the Common Core standards have never been tested or proven to make American students globally competitive. They have never been internationally “benchmarked.” No one knows if the standards are “rigorous,” for the very same reason: they have never been tested or proven.

(video embed)

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/03/17/Why-Is-Non-Mathematician-Bill-Gates-Asked-To-Defend-The-Common-Core-Math-Standards

[Pressing-On]

Setting the Record Straight on Common Core - Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDFjcUABtM#t=127

Setting the Record Straight on Common Core: Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-2iXW8JD0g

Lowering the Bar: How Common Core Math Fails to Prepare Students for STEM

http://pioneerinstitute.org/news/lowering-the-bar-how-common-core-math-fails-to-prepare-students-for-stem/

[Pressing-On]

Common Core: Bad Math meets Radical Politics
It's like Global Warmism, but inflicted on kids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSHoxWaVeto

First grade kids are being taught in their English classes that they need to appeal to emotions when making persuasive writing, to make people want something even if there’s no facts or logic for it.

One example in particular tries to pit kids against their parents, teaching them to try to manipulate their parents to get what they want.

Here’s a great sample sentence: “My mom always me to clean my room.” The kids are given a choice to fill in the blank: tells or nags. Nags is, of course, given as the correct answer.
[B]
I think any elected official who goes along with this must be scrutinized closely. Democrats of course won’t see the problems here, but there are some Republican governors who have attempted to rename Common Core in order to deflect criticism, instead of rejecting this agenda.

http://www.redstate.com/2014/04/02/common-core-bad-math-meets-radical-politics/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[n david]

Unfortunately Gov Brewer here not only rammed it through and then signed another bill giving millions to fund it, but she also changed the name because common core was too divisive.

I was surprised that even some home school curriculum is aligning with common core. And one of the largest Christian charter schools here also uses common core.

[n david]

I'm hopeful that Indiana's decision to drop it will spark a movement for other states to follow.

[Pressing-On]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjxBClx01jc

The Film

Building the Machine introduces the public to the Common Core States Standards Initiative (CCSSI) and its effects on our children’s education. The documentary compiles interviews from leading educational experts, including members of the Common Core Validation Committee. Parents, officials, and the American public should be involved in this national decision regardless of their political persuasion.

What is the common core?

The Common Core is the largest systemic reform of American public education in recent history. What started as a collaboration between the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to reevaluate and nationalize America’s education standards has become one of the most controversial—and yet, unheard of—issues in the American public.

In 2010, 45 states adopted the Common Core, but according to a May 2013 Gallup Poll, 62% of Americans said they had never heard of the Common Core. Prominent groups and public figures have broken traditional party lines over the issue, leaving many wondering where they should stand.

Find out more about the Common Core: hslda.org/commoncore

Why does HSLDA care about the common core?

Early in 2009, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) began researching the Common Core in depth to gauge its would-be effect upon homeschooling families. Our team realized the national significance of this reform not only for public schools, but also for private schools and homeschools. HSLDA’s in-house film crew set out to create Building the Machine, the first investigative documentary about the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

After a year of research and production, we present the story of the Common Core through the voices of those who know it best.

http://commoncoremovie.com/

[Pressing-On]

Common Core is like a hangover.

You have to watch this teacher show how a student may not be comfortable adding 9 + 6. Hahahahahahahaha!

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3768060274001/gutfeld-common-core-is-like-a-hangover/#sp=show-clips

[KeptByTheWord]

I will come back and watch it in a couple of days, when my internet resets. It is miserable at times being on Hughes Net, and limited on bandwidth :(

I had an interesting discussion with a librarian at our local high school on the Common Core. She is very pro-CC. She says that there needs to be a standard when children switch schools around the country so they are not behind, and that the CC addresses this. While the CC may address this issue (possibly), there are much bigger agendas at stake wrapped up in the propaganda that make this just one more example of government takeover through the classroom.

[n david]

My daughter just started Kindergarten at a charter school here. I spent a couple months looking at various charters and private schools and was excited to find a charter school which didn't teach Common Core.

Then we were invited to a school meeting the second week of school and were told AZ law mandated CC be taught in all schools, even charter schools.

The teachers aren't happy about it, but nothing anyone can do unless AZ changes its law.

[KeptByTheWord]

My daughter just started Kindergarten at a charter school here. I spent a couple months looking at various charters and private schools and was excited to find a charter school which didn't teach Common Core.

Then we were invited to a school meeting the second week of school and were told AZ law mandated CC be taught in all schools, even charter schools.

The teachers aren't happy about it, but nothing anyone can do unless AZ changes its law.

Really! Well, I think it is the same in our state too. I think there are just a few states that have opted out. The dumbing down of our children is on a downhill slalom course, sadly!

[Pressing-On]

I will come back and watch it in a couple of days, when my internet resets. It is miserable at times being on Hughes Net, and limited on bandwidth :(

I had an interesting discussion with a librarian at our local high school on the Common Core. She is very pro-CC. She says that there needs to be a standard when children switch schools around the country so they are not behind, and that the CC addresses this. While the CC may address this issue (possibly), there are much bigger agendas at stake wrapped up in the propaganda that make this just one more example of government takeover through the classroom.

She says, in the video, that a child may not be comfortable adding 9 + 6. LOL!

"They are quite comfortable thinking about their friend 10. 10 is emphasized in our young grades as we are working in a base 10 system. So, if we can partner 9 to a number and anchor that to 10, we can help our students see what 9 + 6 is. So, we are going to decompose our 6. And we know that our six is made up of parts. One of it's parts is a one, and the other part is a five. We are now going to anchor our 9 to a one, allowing our students to anchor that to 10. Now our students are seeing you have 10 + 5, having more comfort seeing that 10 + 5 is 15. That's much more comfortable than looking at 9 + 6, an isolated math fact."

Greg Gutfeld goes on to say.... :toofunny

"9 + 6 is so scary that we must partner 9, anchor 10, and decompose 6. Partner, anchor, decompose. That's not math, that's a plot to Silence of the Lambs. Why don't you just add 9 + 6 for God's sake or memorize it? With this logic, if you teach me to fish, you have to first teach me to fly a kite."

So, in reality, the Chinese, 5 minutes ago say - !5! And America is stilling adding.... pitiful. That's worse than the dot counting they used when my daughter was in kindergarten.

[Pressing-On]

Really! Well, I think it is the same in our state too. I think there are just a few states that have opted out. The dumbing down of our children is on a downhill slalom course, sadly!

Not supposed to be in our state, but we are finding teachers implementing it and the school administrations making lame excuses.

[n david]

Our "Republican" Governor here shoved it through. There is a glimmer of hope. The candidate she backed and supported was soundly defeated by a candidate who is against CC. And the AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction, who called parents against CC 'barbarians,' was also soundly defeated by a candidate who ran against CC.

The Legislature has tried removing CC a few times. A few bills stalled in committees and at least one bill was vetoed by the Governor.

[Pressing-On]

Our "Republican" Governor here shoved it through. There is a glimmer of hope. The candidate she backed and supported was soundly defeated by a candidate who is against CC. And the AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction, who called parents against CC 'barbarians,' was also soundly defeated by a candidate who ran against CC.

The Legislature has tried removing CC a few times. A few bills stalled in committees and at least one bill was vetoed by the Governor.

I understand that people feel we need standards across the board in this country, but what is being found after Common Core advanced, and experts agree, there is no research base that says National Standards or state standards drive higher results. It won't change people's minds. Our culture of reading more, etc. is what needs to change.

Common Core moves us away from skills, abilities and talents. CC is saying that everyone should be doing essentially the same thing, using the same model of an educational path. Some kids might want to go to vocational school, college for a liberal arts degree, or become a doctor.

Our system needs to be such that it's not a one-size-fits all. We need to have school choice where we are able to place a child where they are best suited and where they are best inclined to attend . The schools need to be able to move the students in whatever direction they want to go. That would be an efficient system that would be tailored to each unique individual.

CC moves us totally in the opposite direction where is says - everyone must do the same thing.

[KeptByTheWord]

I understand that people feel we need standards across the board in this country, but what is being found after Common Core advanced, and experts agree, there is no research base that says National Standards or state standards drive higher results. It won't change people's minds. Our culture of reading more, etc. is what needs to change.

Common Core moves us away from skills, abilities and talents. CC is saying that everyone should be doing essentially the same thing, using the same model of an educational path. Some kids might want to go to vocational school, college for a liberal arts degree, or become a doctor.

Our system needs to be such that it's not a one-size-fits all. We need to have school choice where we are able to place a child where they are best suited and where they are best inclined to attend . The schools need to be able to move the students in whatever direction they want to go. That would be an efficient system that would be tailored to each unique individual.

CC moves us totally in the opposite direction where is says - everyone must do the same thing.

BINGO! Girl, you hit the nail on the head! The government wants everyone to fit into their idealized box and agenda, and this is what this is all about... conforming a whole generation to not thinking or reasoning, but just believing whatever is being told to them.

[Pressing-On]

BINGO! Girl, you hit the nail on the head! The government wants everyone to fit into their idealized box and agenda, and this is what this is all about... conforming a whole generation to not thinking or reasoning, but just believing whatever is being told to them.

Exactly!!! There are still freedom loving people in this country. Perhaps there is still hope.

[KeptByTheWord]

Exactly!!! There are still freedom loving people in this country. Perhaps there is still hope.

There are pockets of hope everywhere. :)

[Pressing-On]

Building the Machine

Watch: Parents Voice Common Core Frustrations in New Documentary

Parents, teachers, and a social worker are interviewed in a new documentary titled The Parent Interviews, in which they describe their experiences and those of their children and students with the Common Core standards.

Watch for FREE until October 7:

http://www.hslda.org/