Monday Musings: If I Were on a Repeal Common Core Committee

If you’ve been following the news in NC, you are aware we have a “Review Committee” currently studying the Common Core Standards. IF you’ve not been following the NC events, you should..opportunities to hold those in charge accountable for ridding us of the CCSS are abundant.

Quick review:

First up, the way in which NC received Common Core, was, without a single legislative voice. Then, when enough stink was raised, those in charge, got very busy, created legislation and held hearings. Only 1, on March 20, 2014, had opportunities for NC citizens to speak in support of the Standards OR speak out against the Standards. Of the 60 speakers, I was the first one to say “I’m against the Common Core Standards“. Happily, that day, there were more of us AGAINST the CCSS than supporting them.

Hopeful, I even publicly stated that those in charge seeking knowledge, advice, or research could seriously consider someone like me! After all, I’ve been following the push for nationalized standards in America since 2009. I have a ‘few’ files I could share, folks.  But..as the media will tell us a committee was, indeed formed. How it was formed is an embarrassment to the taxpayers and an affront to our legal system.

How so? The law signed stated exactly who was to be on the Repeal (not Review) committee. The members were to be a mix of not only professional educators BUT early childhood experts AND parents AND concerned citizens (only educators are on the committee). It also stated deadlines (totally blown off), meeting locations (not to include the DPI, but yet, oddly enough, the first meeting was held in a tiny room of the DPI). The DPI wasn’t to be involved for transparency, accountability, and frankly, protective reasons. Yet, they are doing their best to bully the system and have their way. The reason a cross section of the population was to be assigned was to have as much objectivity as possible. I invite you to go look up each of the members and find out how many are CCSS disciples. What a sham for our students.

Now, if only they’d taken me up on my offer:

You might be reading this and thinking I’m bitter..hardly, while largely disappointed I didn’t get chosen to serve on the Repeal Committee, I have been better able to be a watchdog, to continue my researching into all the cracks, crevices, and wormholes the CCSS machine has insured it’s in here in NC. I’ve also been able to help folks nationwide. I’ve been saved from the ‘stacked deck’ mentality; spared the fits of unkind words, no lady should utter.

I am not pleasantly surprised by the unfairness it appears is happening. I’m most troubled that once again, while this state has the tremendous opportunity to rid itself of ALL that CCSS entails, money is speaking louder than NC’s people.

“Had your chance, muffed it.”

This quote is from “Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang”, a movie I’ve seen many times and a quote I’ve used repeatedly. Dick Van Dyke was seeking the attention of a wealthy business owner. The wealthy man, being very impatient, gave Mr. Van Dyke only seconds to state his case. When it didn’t happen the way the business man wanted or in the time frame he set out, he uttered the words, “Had your chance, muffed it. Good day, sir.”  So, to those who chose the committee, here’s what you muffed:

a) Citizens, non educator professionals who are qualified, concerned, and very involved in this present state of educational chaos.

b) Researchers who don’t get lobbyist money, corporation funding, or are otherwise impeded in what they discover so their objectivity is absolute.

c) Everyday people who can make a difference and rid the state of NC of this illegal, ill written, insidious mess. Folks who could, would, and have pledged to help right the wrongs public private partnership created CCSS brought us.

d) The transparency factor, the accountability is very suspect when you chose to disrespect the law. How can we citizens trust you when you act like a spoiled child?

e) Your opportunity to cut the crap by cutting the purse strings. Education is NOT a business to be bought, use ‘best practices’, unite to Washington, D.C. agendas. Education is more than this.  Students should NEVER, ever be referred to as ‘talent supply’, ‘human capital’, part of a ‘pipeline’ or any other of those sold out, educratic terms you share.

f) The relationship you could of formed with me. You missed out on my humor, charm, personality, knowledge, networking capability, teamwork ability, loyalty, dedication, five years worth of research, fact finding skills, fearlessness. I, along with my well connected anti CC friends/warriors could show you things about the CC Standards you’d have to see to believe, but..guess you’ll  miss that too.

Everything has a time, a purpose:

Well, we all have a job to do, paid to do it or not. You will continue on in your work, and I, in mine. Remember, I, along with my thousands of buddies, will be watching what transpires with NC and CC.  Should you need me, or someone just as up to date on CCSS as possible, I’m not hard to find. I am willing to give our students the best education possible. One that’s agenda free, legal, honoring, true, and right.

It’s time to finish what was started and ‘kill the Core’.    

Let’s not muff the opportunity to have education free of all the CC Machine (CCSS, STEM, AP, STEaM, Hire Standards, College, Career Tech CC, Community Colleges, IB Schools, UN Global Schools, Race to the Top, Smarter Balance Assessments, Gates, Pearson Publishing, data mining and every other connected group). Let’s show the nation how tough NC can be and say “ENOUGH!” “No more Core!”