CORE: Myth vs. fact, continued

Rather than defend Common Core, the Myths in the Roar over Common Core article on March 27 is a character assassination of Paul, Cruz, Rubio, Jindal and Christie.

Common Core myth No. 1 is the standards were developed by governors and state school chiefs. Reality: Three nonprofits the NGA (a networking agency which does not truly represent the governors except for the two governors who sit on the Gates Foundation board), the CCSSO and the Gates Foundation developed the Common Core Standards. All three groups operate behind closed doors. Although committee members could provide research and advice, five members actually wrote the standards. Of the 29 committee members, five refused to sign off. The majority of the committee members had little or no class room experience. Most committee members were representatives of the testing industry.

Myth No. 2: It is cheaper to collaborate and develop standards and tests for all the states. Does the federal government ever do anything cheaper or better than local people? Is it about the tests or the knowledge? The Common Core Standards are patented. Why? Could it be that it is no longer about the kids and their education but rather about the money to be made from writing the assessment standards, selling them and the new text books.

By eliminating federal involvement in education, we could keep the money home and use it in the classrooms. Teachers are taught what kids knowledge base should be for each grade. They are able to assess their students. Most teachers became teachers because they like kids and want to teach. Let’s let them teach. Although there are a few bad teachers and a few bad parents, let’s quit blaming each other and address the subject at hand: educating our children for a lifetime of learning.

CONNIE COOPERSMITH

Rathdrum