Is Common Core Good for Palos Verdes?

Or will it harm our excellent education?

1.   Does Palos Verdes need this change?  What problems and/or deficiencies in PV education do you think Common Core will fix? What has been done in the past to address these problems? Will Common Core do more harm than good?

2.   Curriculum: How will Common Core substantially change the class content - current vs. future? What classics/reading texts will be replaced by the federal reading list? Will the standardized tests require that we change our reading lists? Who makes this decision?

3.  Technology: We do not want to trade teachers for technology. How many hours a day will students be required to use iPads for learning? Will teachers be using class time to instruct students in the use of iPads and computer applications? Is that ideal?

4.   Testing: Common Core curriculum and teaching methods were not field tested prior to implementation? Two thirds of New York State students failed the Common Core standardized tests in June. Is this the path that PV Unified wants to follow?

5.  Personal Data: Federal guidelines state that students and family personal data will be stored at the national level via computer. What questions will be asked and stored? Is PV required to complete these data sheets? Can these personal data be sold?

6.  Costs: What it is the cost to supply iPads for the 11,000+ students in PV? What are the software, tech support staff, teacher training, substitutes and added ongoing Administration costs? Will parents be increasingly asked to supply and pay for equipment? What programs will be eliminated due to the burden of these costs?

Education Reform Rationale

The Facts

K-12 Education in the US is generally FAILING most students.

The “global curve is rising” (those darn Chinese!)

The “Achievement Gap” is socio-economic. (suburb vs. city)

Money has not helped.(Real pp spending quadrupled since 1960)

Previous reforms have not helped. (NCLB was a disaster!)

Conclusion: Something must be done!

Solution

 

Change everything (standards, curriculum, teaching, testing)  

Subject all students to the changes.  

Stop Common Core: Resources

Kris Nielsen’s book “Children of the Core” http://www.childrenofthecore.com/#1 is the story of his transformation from teacher promoting Common Core to staunch opponent. Links CC to the school privatization movement: Follow the money.

Chris Tienken’s book “The School Reform Landscape” tracks the history of school reforms that never work.

Yong Zhao’s book World class learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students shows that “the race for higher test scores is harmful to society.”

Stanley Kurtz’s book “Spreading the Wealth” shows that Common Core is part of a much larger effort (“regionalism”) designed to transfer tax revenues from the suburbs to the cities. Also read Kurtz at National Review Online.

Truth in American Education is a blog devoted to watchdogging Common Core across the country.

The Pioneer Institute is the leading think tank tracking and fighting Common Core. http://pioneerinstitute.org/common-core/

Pioneer’s Jim Stergios has an education blog, Rock the Schoolhouse.

Hoosier Moms Say No to Common Core is leading the parental revolt against Common Core in Indiana.

Utah moms against Common Core: Education without Representation have a great blog. http://whatiscommoncore.wordpress.com/

A Mother Speaks Out: Children For Sale – Guest Post by Alyson Williams.

Shane Vander Hart’s handy primer on “How to Fight the Common Core”  

This must-read piece by James Shuls connects Common Core, math corruption, and the need for school choice.

Heritage resources on Common Core.

APP’s full video series on Common Core here. Here’s part one to get you started.

Town Hall Meeting in Palos Verdes

A Community Discussion on Education in Palos Verdes‏

Come to hear a presentation and participate in a discussion about the Common Core State Standards

                     July 15, 9:30 AM

           Peninsula Center Library Community Room

 

The discussion will be led by Dr. William Lama,

a former college professor and PV Library Trustee,

who serves on the Citizens Oversight Committee

appointed by the PV School Board.

 

 

 

 
 

 

  

We are the concerned PV parents

This web site is devoted to education in Palos Verdes, CA. Many parents and grandparents are concerned that the quality of public education will decline with the introduction of the new Common Core State Standards. These Federally mandated standards include new curriculum, teaching methods and testing that will change everything in our schools and not for the better. We will do whatever we can to convince the PVPUSD school board to halt the implementation of the Common Core before any  substantial harm is done.

Bill Lama