Common Core opponents form group to educate public

A new group in opposition to the Common Core State Standards in education was formed Monday night at the Jackson Public Library.

The group, the Heartland Citizens for Education Awareness, has educating the public about what it sees as problems with Common Core as its stated goal.

"We're a grassroots effort, and we will be growing," said Brad Noel, who was unanimously elected the group's chairman.

The group stands in firm opposition to the Common Core standards, which were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2010. The standards will replace grade-level requirements for English/language arts and mathematics from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Already in use by 45 states, the standards are said to be designed to make sure students graduate from high school with knowledge and skills they will need in college and in a career with a focus on critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication skills.

In the Cape Girardeau and Jackson schools, English/language arts and mathematics are aligned with Common Core standards and will be implemented in the fall. The standards will be in effect statewide for the 2014-2015 school year. The Heartland Citizens for Education Awareness wants parents to be fully informed about those standards.

"In my opinion, we'll be teaching all of the kids the same thing at the same pace," said Alaina Hinze, member of the newly formed group who also sits on the Jackson School Board. "Do kids in Southeast Missouri need to know things that are being taught in Los Angeles?"

Esther Bohnert, a Jackson resident, said the Common Core standards appear to be "dumbing down" education.

"When everything is the same," Bohnert asked, "what is there to strive for? There's no competition."

Noel said he sees local control of education being taken away through the standards.

"It's getting to the point where all the board of education will have to do is show up and pay the bills," he said.

Noel added that the Heartland Citizens for Education Awareness will be launching a webpage so people can learn more about the group and what it perceives to be the problems with the Common Core standards. The group, though Jackson-based, also is accepting members from throughout the Southeast Missouri region, Noel said.

For more information on the Heartland Citizens for Education Awareness, contact Brad Noel at rangr518@gmail.com.

klewis@semissourian.com

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