How Common Core was 'sold' to the American people.

When I first heard of Common Core, the national education standard, promoted by
the Department of Education, it was soon after it was adopted by forty-five states.

I didn't think much of the overwhelming support until I learned Common Core was
never tested. Now, the decision had my attention, why would so many states adopt
an untested  program?

I learned the USDOE applied a bait and switch using federal funding for an education
program not even associated with the Common Core standard.

Four billion dollars had been allocated for distribution to the states for Race to the Top,
an education innovation initiative they were anxious to receive.

However, when the push to implement Common Core needed a 'boost', it came in the
form of a threat, the lose of promised funds unless it was adopted!

One by one states agreed to replace their own standards and replace them with
Common Core. Never mind public school teachers were not trained, nor universities
altering education curriculum to prepare their graduates.

I even asked an educator from Massachusetts, "Why would the state replace the best
rated education program in the nation with Common Core?" She answered, without
hesitation, "for $250 million" !

In fact, to "assure" the public the USDOE created  a 'Validation Committee', a group
of twenty-nine education professionals to review and sign off on the standard.

On the committee only two were educators, one in Math, the other in English. When
the committee completed its work, only twenty-four signed off,  five refused, including
the two educators.

The final report is available on the USDOE website, but don't expect to find the concerns
of those who refused to sign off. They were purged!

Since adoption in 2009, across the country, an informal 'army' was created, primarily
made up of parents and teachers who saw first hand the problems with Common Core.
From coast to coast groups were formed, to petition legislators to end and replace it
with a standard that meets the needs of children not the demands of an industry which
was once a vocation.

Fully replacing Common Core will not be an easy task, entrenched business interests
are dogged in retaining it.

Interesting, one of the issues Donald Trump has been campaigning on from the beginning,
getting rid of Common Core. This message may not get much airing, but the public should
take note, no one is defending Common Core!

Those in the 'army' to end Common Core fully understand the importance states once
again use its own standard which drive the curriculum they use!