Understanding Common Core: Part Four, Assessments, Scary? You Decide

 Missouri Commissioner of Education finalist, CJ Huff, was quoted as saying that CCSS is not scary.  In fact, he thinks it is great. There are five finalist for this position and apparently all of them support CCSS regardless of what voters want and what decisions the legislature has made. Peter Herschend, president of the Missouri State School Board (and friend of Dr. Huff), declares that the state board desires to find someone to make Missouri a top state in education. Herschend's experience is in the field of family entertainment. The Herschend family owns more than 20 theme parks across the United States, including Silver Dollar City. He is also one of the 12 People to Know... based on his successful entrepreneurial endeavors.

CCSS scary?  Well..... 

The standards are not necessarily a "problem" until you reach secondary. At the secondary level, you find that the Bible is classified in the fiction category with fairy tales and myths. Also, some reading selections that are on the CCSS list or recommended by implementers of CCSS are not age appropriate or contain objectionable material.  As a Christian, I find this to be scary.

Standards touted to be rigorous actually lack rigor.  A 30 minute math lesson that was formerly taught by a seasoned teacher is now stretched to 1 hour and 30 minutes with no real depth. Using the word rigor in association with educating children is somewhat scary. Webster uses the words unpleasant, unyielding, inflexible, harsh, severe, and strict in the definitions of rigor.  The children's definition is just as scary. Not exactly what I would desire in a lesson designed to make students life long learners. In fact the word rigor seems to drain the joy right out of learning. Administrators have told us that rigor means that we have the highest expectations or challenges for our students. Maybe they should rethink this educational buzz word. Maybe someone should enlighten them that rigor is also associated with rigor mortis, in which case, this terminology should be laid to rest. 
So... to those that love children and love teaching children, rigor is scary.

While the writers of CCSS may not be scary, the fact that NOT ONE public primary, elementary, secondary, or special services teacher is on the list is alarming. In fact, I would have to say that it is scary to think that people who have never spent quality time in a classroom are setting standards for our children.  These people are taking their personal educational expectations (or lack thereof) and forcing them on experienced educators. When you dig deeper into their backgrounds and supporters, you discover tremendous financial gain. Selling out our children for a profit is scary.

And finally, the assessments. I haven't revealed a great deal of information about the assessments simply because the amount of information is overwhelming.  

By going to the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium Psychometric Services you can read the qualifications of the executive director (who has taught all grades from kindergarten to graduate school). You can also access field tests and view released sample items. However, typing psychometric into the search box brought up several additional sites: One for Under- Represented Students assures readers that students with disabilities and English Language Learners will have all the technology they need to demonstrate what they know. In the Quarterly Report you read that in 2011 a Lead Psychometrician was hired. A six month priority was to refine the College and Career-Ready definition, not only for high school students, but also for the vertical articulation of grades 3-8. This isn't something that is being created or implemented. It is already in practice. If you want a clear picture of where this is headed take a look at the the Assessment Consortium. From the cradle to the grave (or almost) the Smarter Balanced Consortium is going to make sure that every student has the knowledge and skills they need to be college and career-ready. Pages 29-32 of the Smarter Balanced General Item Specifications  give information concerning the assessment tasks and the increased use of technology and how tests will be tailored depending on the student's response.
The Missouri Education Watchdog is often a good source of information concerning educational threats. For information concerning surveys your children are being given at school, (this is where the need for a Lead Psychometrician comes in) read the article on Refusing Surveys. Then decide how these questions will invade the privacy of your home and how they are related to making your child college and career-ready. Many educators have seen (including myself) and have been required to give students these surveys. Surveys are not only given to high school students, but also to younger students.  Results for students in MO were released by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. How do questions about fighting, drug and alcohol use, and suicide relate to making sure your child is college and career-ready? A complete 2014 survey for Missouri students reveals more detailed information about the direction in which CCSS is headed and the invasion of our privacy (page 14). 

Questions on availability of drugs or alcohol hardly seem relevant to the education of our students. They are, however, relevant to parenting skills. Parenting skills are being questioned and, in some cases, resulting in court cases.  A July 2014 court case in Arkansas involves a neglect case in which a kindergarten child was removed from the home and placed in state care. While these are extreme cases, more and more cases are flooding the news concerning the conflict between parents and schools.  I DO NOT condone any type of child neglect or abuse. I have no tolerance for those who hurt the innocent. However, the actions taken by seemingly caring administrators makes me question who is the guilty party.

A concerned New York mother crafted a letter to her son's teachers opposing his participation in CCSS. She was applauded by his teachers and encouraged to share her letter. Parents, like this mom, will be what it takes to stop CCSS. Parents need to get the facts, get involved, and speak out without fear of retaliation. Teachers are afraid to speak out against CCSS for fear of retaliation. But, if teachers have the support of the community, things can and will change.  Another letter opposing CCSS in parochial schools was delivered by Dr. Bradley to a diocese of Catholic schools. Parents were encouraged to read and share this letter to increase the understanding of CCSS.

Scary???? Maybe Dr. Huff doesn't find CCSS scary, but I believe that it is scary to see where Missouri, and ultimately our nation, is headed in education. It is scary that classroom teachers do not have a voice. It is scary that our children's career decisions will be directed by computer-based assessments. Further erosion of FERPA, under CCSS, will violate the privacy of our children. It is scary that the education of our children is being diminished.  

Scary??? You decide.