Wow! It has been several months since I blogged. And then I have find my username and password to get back into it. I think I need to make a file of passwords for easy referral.
The feds are trying to impose a one-size-fits-all national school curriculum, Common Core. States were bribed to sign onto it even before the standards were completely set forth. And North Dakota signed on. But now states are pulling out.
In the first place, it's unconstitutional. The 10th Amendment only allows the federal government to do things that are specific enumerated powers. I think the unconstitutionality of it is more problematic than exactly what standards have been set, although the standards apparently have been dumbed-down from many existing state standards.
Education is a difficult thing to measure also. Students can spit back answers on multiple choice standardized tests but can tests measure critical thinking, motivation to be a self-learner, and ability in creative skills? Should teachers or schools be rewarded or punished depending on the scores of their students? Can they be blamed if they are teaching the slow learners or students who start off underprivileged and just haven't caught up to the others?
Common Core also requires keeping detailed records on students that go into their permanent record. This data mining includes files on their social and emotional lives and could well be used for nefarious purposes against them or their families. Privacy would be thrown out the door and would make the NSA's files look tame by comparison.
Our congressmen need to be urged to oppose funding and implementation of Common Core.
