Understanding Common Core: Part Two, Who Wrote the Standards?

So, who wrote the standards?  It seems to have almost happened overnight, although I know this is not the case.  I've looked over the list and not one name is a familiar name in public education. Yes, some are college instructors, but how many have classroom experience working in general education and special education? Diane Ravitch has a blog post that brings some of these questions to light, as well as, providing a list of common core authors.  The Daily KOS also offers a list of authors and raises more questions about the authorship. 

I randomly took names, from the author list, to see what educational background they had. I started with Sara Clough, since her name appears at the top of the list and she appears on both the Mathematics and ELA work list.  As many articles I read connected to Sara Clough, the only information that I could find on her, connected with education, was her name on the list of CCSS authors. So, I tried a different tactic...... look at her role at ACT, Inc.  I typed her name into the search box and was directed to survey report concerning research of teacher attitudes. Sara Clough was one of the assistants to the Public Agenda's Communication Director. I have yet to find any credentials associated with teaching in a public school.

I moved on to Phil Daro. He is listed as America's Choice. That sounds good, doesn't it?  Finally, I'm getting somewhere. He actually has a website about his involvement (actually more of a CCSS promotional site).  But the million dollar question is...... when and where did he teach? BINGO!  The biography for Phil Daro can be found at Strategic Research Education Partnership.  He taught 16 years at the University of California.  I'm looking...... and looking...... Last sentence. "He taught mathematics and is the father of three daughters."1  OK.... How long did he teach math? Where?  What grade level?

Next, I tried to see what background was available for Jason Zimba. I was lucky enough to discover his bio on my first try at Achieve the Core.  Mr. Zimba has several degrees, he has written books and received awards.  He has also taught...... math and other subjects..... to mostly adults. However, he has taught math and other subjects to disadvantaged secondary students and children of non-English speaking parents.  But, when has he taught public school and for how long?

David Coleman is from a family of educators and at one time he did teach reading at Yale. It seems that most of his time has been spent founding organizations. I read his bio at College Board, but was too disheartened to continue reading about his organizations.

So... I moved on through the list. Searching. For. A . Teacher. Just one. Someone who daily nurtures students in the classroom. Someone who knows how to reach children from all backgrounds. Someone who believes that their greatest role in life is to guide, teach, and love children.  

I am not degrading the accomplishments of these authors that contributed to the writing of CCSS. I am questioning why they were chosen for the task of writing standards that would affect children and teachers of children. I am questioning if they were qualified for the task of writing standards that would prepare our students for the next grade level. I am questioning why I can't find ONE public school teacher on the list. Why are there so many members on the author's list that are employed by The College Board and ACT, Inc.?

This little background check did not satisfy my questions. Did it satisfy yours or only raise more questions?



Articles I used for research (other than the ones linked above):
Chicago Teacher's Union
Which Louisiana Teachers Wrote the CCSS?
Common Core Disconnect.....
ACT Recovery Act
Missouri Education Watchdog- CCSS talking points

1.Daro, Phil. "Phil Daro." SERP: Phil Daro. Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, SFUSD, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. <http://serpinstitute.org/index.php/people/staff/phil-daro/>.