Common Core is an initiative funded by special interests and federal government with the goal of nationalizing education. National Education? No thank you. No . . . really - NO THANK YOU!
Alas, it seems we have it already. How did we allow this huge intrusion of Federal government into our schools which is the right, privilege and responsibility of state and local governments and families?
There is so much to cover and many questions to answer; what is the CCI, SBAC, CCSSO, Race to the Top grant, etc.? and what do they all have to do with Common Core? The internet has plenty to study and get informed from. Here is a bit of the essence of my recent education on the subject of Education, minus footnotes and sources. My apologies, but this American Mom for Utah only has so much time to blog when there are peaches and tomatoes ripening rapidly in the next room, and a rodeo in Logan to get to!
In short:
CCI's purpose is faulty and its cause is not just. The language they present them by is condescending and unnecessary to teachers, administrators and parents.
I despise the idea that this unholy machine, with its standards writers and wealthy backer, has decided it must inspire and transform us, and will do it with mandates and money.
At least one social scientist (Dr. Christopher Tienken) feels CCI is an example of 'data-less decision making' and says, "Major policies that we impose on children and parents should have evidence to support their effectiveness."
Further troubling me is the growing awareness that my own state, local teachers and administrators and parents seem to have bought it hook, line and sinker. Those that may not like it have got to feel a sense of dread to speak out since it would place them in a position of seeming insubordinate. That fact alone is a red flag to me; a big, red flag waving desperately to be seen. I value our teachers and administrators decisions and abilities, and I mourn that their power to effect changes and ideas for unique local needs and wants is in jeopardy, which will increase without check. I value a teacher, principle, and locally elected school board over any bureaucrat in Washington. There is no amendment process in place for Common Core.
Cost, power, lack of due diligence, data collection, training, books, testing, grading, implementing, loss of power for our families and communities, one size fits all standard, demographic differences, no idea of side effects, no transparency or legislative or public input . . .
If it were only about standards . . . but nationalizing our education is monstrously much more.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Loyalist or Rebel?
A COMMON SENSE APPROACH and a modern application
“Mom, would you have been a Loyalist or a Rebel (now referred to as a Patriot)?” That was the question the twins posed.
“Well, a Patriot, of course.” I thought - I hoped, aloud.
Exciting and true tales about Concord and Lexington and the intrigue of the Green Mountain Boys have piqued their interest and excited their young warrior-like imaginations. Hence the question about Loyalist or Patriot, and many others about government, and right and wrong, and heroes and traitors . . . We have watched Stan Ellsworth’s American Ride and read young Joseph Martin Plumber’s entries of his experiences as a Revolutionary soldier. We have read about some of the inspiring documents and speeches written that stirred the souls of men.
Catching the fire of the Revolution myself, one evening, I decided to read Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in its entirety. It took me hours. The wording and language pulled me back and into the place of a colonist. Each paragraph reasoned with, and appealed to my own common sense. I couldn’t read fast enough. And I could imagine the colonists doing the same – eager for the next pamphlet. When I finished, I closed down the computer and went to bed that night KNOWING, that I too, would have been a Patriot. I too, would have been inspired by the truths and ideals that this man gave wings to with his words. I like knowing that.
I also like what reading that document makes me feel now. I found contemporary application from the timeless common sense of Common Sense:
“There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of Monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the World, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly . . .”
While I do not call anyone exceedingly ridiculous, (except for our Twinners at dinner-time) I think there is resemblance between a career politician and monarchy in that he, by necessity, is removed from the world for the duration of his term(s) and, yet, the highest judgment of what he is removed from is required of him. His ‘business’ requires him to know our nation’s ‘business’ thoroughly. Long term absence may exclude him from the means of information and he runs a high risk of coming to know “politics” instead of “patriotism”, “business as usual” instead of “business of our country”.
For this reason, and for a hope for a fresh and fit candidate to win the race for Utah's United States Senator I went on the hunt just before Caucus. I found him and was delighted that he had just enough other support to force a primary election. We have a choice now between 37-years-in-the-Senate incumbent Orrin Hatch and new challenger Dan Liljenquist (pronounced Million-quist with an ‘L’) My choice is Dan. And this is why: (this video is 7 minutes)
He is not only willing to meet the BIG problems in our United States Senate, but already done so in our Utah Senate with Pension and Medicaid Reform.
He has filled his life with education and experiences in family, service, law, and business. (see the video above)
Yesterday, at the Scandinavian Festival Parade, Dan walks with 2 of his kids and gives my camera a great smile, as do Richard (a terrific county Delegate and Coordinator) and Bridget. Stiff cold winds!
In this debate, (warning! it’s an hour and a half long, but you can fold your laundry or eat chocolate while you watch/listen. Multi tasking is nice if you can do it) I think Dan shows his courteous, competent and co-operative spirit.
It was very clear how he adores his kids.
I met him at an Ephraim Town Meeting the evening before, then yesterday, at the end of a parade, he saw me and remembered my name. Good Grief.
“Mom, would you have been a Loyalist or a Rebel (now referred to as a Patriot)?” That was the question the twins posed.
“Well, a Patriot, of course.” I thought - I hoped, aloud.
Exciting and true tales about Concord and Lexington and the intrigue of the Green Mountain Boys have piqued their interest and excited their young warrior-like imaginations. Hence the question about Loyalist or Patriot, and many others about government, and right and wrong, and heroes and traitors . . . We have watched Stan Ellsworth’s American Ride and read young Joseph Martin Plumber’s entries of his experiences as a Revolutionary soldier. We have read about some of the inspiring documents and speeches written that stirred the souls of men.
Catching the fire of the Revolution myself, one evening, I decided to read Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in its entirety. It took me hours. The wording and language pulled me back and into the place of a colonist. Each paragraph reasoned with, and appealed to my own common sense. I couldn’t read fast enough. And I could imagine the colonists doing the same – eager for the next pamphlet. When I finished, I closed down the computer and went to bed that night KNOWING, that I too, would have been a Patriot. I too, would have been inspired by the truths and ideals that this man gave wings to with his words. I like knowing that.
I also like what reading that document makes me feel now. I found contemporary application from the timeless common sense of Common Sense:
“There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of Monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the World, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly . . .”
While I do not call anyone exceedingly ridiculous, (except for our Twinners at dinner-time) I think there is resemblance between a career politician and monarchy in that he, by necessity, is removed from the world for the duration of his term(s) and, yet, the highest judgment of what he is removed from is required of him. His ‘business’ requires him to know our nation’s ‘business’ thoroughly. Long term absence may exclude him from the means of information and he runs a high risk of coming to know “politics” instead of “patriotism”, “business as usual” instead of “business of our country”.
For this reason, and for a hope for a fresh and fit candidate to win the race for Utah's United States Senator I went on the hunt just before Caucus. I found him and was delighted that he had just enough other support to force a primary election. We have a choice now between 37-years-in-the-Senate incumbent Orrin Hatch and new challenger Dan Liljenquist (pronounced Million-quist with an ‘L’) My choice is Dan. And this is why: (this video is 7 minutes)
He has filled his life with education and experiences in family, service, law, and business. (see the video above)
Yesterday, at the Scandinavian Festival Parade, Dan walks with 2 of his kids and gives my camera a great smile, as do Richard (a terrific county Delegate and Coordinator) and Bridget. Stiff cold winds!
In this debate, (warning! it’s an hour and a half long, but you can fold your laundry or eat chocolate while you watch/listen. Multi tasking is nice if you can do it) I think Dan shows his courteous, competent and co-operative spirit.
It was very clear how he adores his kids.
I met him at an Ephraim Town Meeting the evening before, then yesterday, at the end of a parade, he saw me and remembered my name. Good Grief.
Dan Liljenquist - Fresh and Fit for the race
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