Block Common Core

Other than a caller to Speak Out on Oct. 2, when has anyone referred to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as Obama Core?

Some people, upon finding themselves at a loss as to the facts of a debate, try to change directions by introducing unrelated arguments. Clearly the caller attempted to introduce a red herring into the debate concerning CCSS.

Implying that all 50 governors agreed to CCSS is simply disingenuous. The bulk of the creative work was done by Achieve Inc., a DC-based not-for-profit consisting mainly of progressive education reformers. In order to create the illusion of state involvement, the writers of the standards asked for and received the endorsement of the National Governors Association (NGA). The NGA claims all governors as members simply by virtue of the office they hold. There is no membership application or fee requirements. To further add to the illusion that these standards were written by a bipartisan group of governors and state education leaders, the Council of Chief State School Officers added its endorsement to CCSS. Neither of these two DC-based not-for-profit trade organizations had any authority from the states to write national school standards.

Since Achieve wrote and copyrighted the CCSS, school administrators, board members and teachers have lost all control of the standards. The biggest problem with Common Core is that it removes local control of education, a huge loss for the community. Demand that your state representatives and senators block implementation of CCSS.

JAN FARRAR, Gordonville