Reaction to Beason's "Common Core " Bill - Larry Lee

Education Matters

By Larry Lee

In the 1985 movie classic, Back to the Future, Marty McFly was inadvertently sent back in time by Doc Brown’s time machine.

It now appears that State Senator Scott Beason has his own time machine and is hoping to send Alabama public school students and teachers back to 1999.  Beason has introduced SB 380 which calls for the repeal of the new Alabama College & Career Ready standards and replace them with standards adopted in 1999.

It’s all about some of the hysteria whipped up by those who want us to believe that the new standards are somehow part of a master national plan to subvert young minds.  And it once again shows that some elected officials are far more interested in politics than they are in education.

As best I can determine from visiting schools, talking to teachers and principals and school superintendents; the standards are largely hailed as what our kids need to compete in today’s world.

A Baldwin County teacher told me, “In the past, we’ve been teaching a mile wide and an inch deep.  At the end of the year you knew you really had not given your students mastery of certain concepts, nor helped them to think deeply.  But now we’ve narrowed the focus and are going much more in depth.  This is allowing our kids to really understand what we’re trying to teach them.”

To get to this point school systems have invested tremendous amounts of time and effort into professional development for teachers.  They’ve invested substantial revenue into getting ready to implement the new standards.

But what do educators know when it comes to education?  Why should we be concerned about wasting money or telling teachers to forget about the two years of work they’ve just spent learning how to be better instructors when a few votes are involved?

So let’s roll back the clock 15 years for our school kids.  Let’s go back to 1999 when gas was $1.22 a gallon.  A few weeks ago the Talladega County school system was nationally featured in a meeting at the Library of Congress where they spoke about their computer-based teaching programs.

Let’s tell Talladega County to toss out the classroom computers in use now since they were not around in 1999.  Let’s pass a law outlawing all text messages since “texting” was virtually unknown in 1999.  And don’t forget to tell all the school systems that have invested in various one-on-one computer projects to take those devices to the dumpster.

I’m sure Governor Bentley is looking forward to holding a press conference to announce that we are looking backwards in Alabama, rather than forward.  I’m sure Airbus will be delighted to get this news.

No doubt Greg Canfield with the Commerce Department will soon send letters to companies considering locating in Alabama explaining that if they want a work force prepared to compete in today’s global economy they should look elsewhere.

Who knows we may even want to send a letter to Mercedes telling them that from now on they should only use their 1999 training methods to prepare employees to work on cars being built in 2014.

Remington has just announced that they will put a major manufacturing facility in Huntsville.  How excited will the managers who move to Alabama be when they learn their kids will go to schools that use outdated standards?

Maybe we can redo the welcome to Alabama billboards to say, “Welcome to Alabama where the future is 15 years ago.”

The teachers I know have every confidence in the ability of our students to compete with other students across this country.  All they want is the chance to give them this opportunity.  That’s why so many of them have invested so much time and effort into preparation for the last few years.

They don’t want to go back to 1999.  They know that if we do we are putting our kids at a huge disadvantage.  But hey, why should it matter that students in Georgia or North Carolina or Ohio are being better prepared as long as you can round up a few more votes?

What difference does it make that we’re sending the wrong message to the world when it might help me get re-elected?

Larry Lee led the study, Lessons Learned from Rural Schools, and is a long-time advocate for public education and frequently writes about education issues.  larrylee33@knology.net

Refuting Anti-CCRS Claims

We keep hearing opponents talk about how bad the Common Core is, yet we hear very little specificity about exactly what's  bad about it.  We educators really struggle to understand what the fuss is about.  The claims we hear are so far fetched, it's hard to take them seriously.  They simply aren't true.  

In Alabama, we just included the Common Core standards in our Math and English courses of study.  That's it. Nothing more.  That being said, let's address some of the "common" concerns we hear...
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Common Core nationalizes public education.

This is an easy one, so let me be clear.   NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS ARE NOT NEW.   National math, science, English, and history standards have been around, long before the Common Core.  Alabama and other states have always aligned to those standards.  Do people think Alabama arbitrarily decided when to teach what, without consulting other states' and national standards? And let me remind everyone, physicians, attorneys, hospitals, etc.  have "national standards" too, and that's considered a good thing. 

All this being said, Alabama volunteered to include these Common Core standards, after several years of research and collaboration with education leaders and stakeholders.   Our schools haven't received a penny for doing so.  While we did include these standards, we may also add to them, edit them, and move them around (see recent CCRS updates). We choose how to implement them and how to assess them, not the federal government.   

Common Core "dumbs" down education. 

Seriously?  Have opponents  read the 2010 Math and English Language Arts College and Career Ready Standards? No one can read them and not plainly see that they are far more rigorous and reflective of 21st Century learning than the previous from 2003 (Math)  and 2007 (English).   My question for them is, "Demonstrate how these standards 'dumb down' education?" Show me. 

Furthermore, we teachers have dedicated our lives to improving children's education in Alabama.  Do people think for one second we would support standards that lowered our expectations?  For heaven's sake, trust us. 

ARI (Alabama Reading Initiative)  and AMSTI (Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative) 
are defunct. 

We educators have been mystified about the newest anti-CCRS claim that ARI and AMSTI have been defunct this year.  We know full well these programs haven't slowed a bit, and if anything, have increased momentum, thanks to the new math and English standards. Both ARI and AMSTI (in addition to their traditional roles) have helped our schools use their research-based best practices (the same ones they've been sharing)  to address the new math and English standards.   I addressed this concern more fully in another post.  

Common Core will indoctrinate our students with liberal, anti-American, and anti-Christian ideals. 

Once again, show me where this is evident in our standards.  It's just math and English, much like we've always had. 

My students used to memorize 1 Corinthians 13 ("Love is Patient, Love is Kind...") in my classroom every year, as it tied in nicely with our novel unit.  Was I indoctrinating my students to become Christians, like me? Of course not.  I was having them memorize a powerful "life" verse that corresponded beautifully with the text.  Fifteen years later, I still run into students who begin reciting this verse and other poetry I had them memorize.    I also taught American History, where we discussed racism, women's rights, social justice, Communism....all the things kids should know about before going to college. Was I indoctrinating them then?  No...I was TEACHING them about history. I say all this because at any time, I suppose a parent could have swayed my instruction to infer "indoctrination."  

What people must understand, and everyone else, IF some rogue  teacher has an agenda to turn our children into socialists or homosexuals (as opponents claim), the Common Core or any course of study has NOTHING to do with that. When that classroom door is closed, a teacher can teach whatever he/she wants.  That's why we have mentors, principals, and district leaders to make sure we have the best teachers in our schools, and beyond that, parents must trust us, as they would their pastors, physicians, and other professionals.  

I recently read some Twitter posts, claiming that "Common Core" texts call Afghan fighters "freedom fighters." First, why aren't they sharing the name of the text (does it really exist?).   Secondly, and this is important, President Ronald Reagan called them "freedom fighters" in the 1980s, long before 911 (see video).  So...if it's an old text or it's referring to that era, the term "freedom fighters" was likely used.  I taught American History for years.  I know what I'm talking about. 

And finally, there are NO TEXTS or LESSON PLANS provided in our CCRS.  The local schools get to make that determination.  Teachers will still create their own syllabi, with no interference from the state or federal government.  Teachers, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders serve on Textbook Committees for new adoptions, so unless they approve "un-American" system-wide texts, it's not going to happen in this state.  

Common Core removes classic literature from our English classes.
I taught To Kill A Mockingbird, a Southern classic, for years.  I recently read an anti-Common Core post, claiming this novel perpetuated "rape" and "social justice."  And then in the very next post, a parent was complaining that her child may never read To Kill A Mockingbird  because  of the informational text requirements. Ridiculous, right? 

The content literacy standards are one of the things I like most about the CCRS.  For the first time in Alabama, we are requiring our science, history, and Career Tech teachers to embed reading and writing into their curricula (however they choose), which is something good teachers have always done.  The informational text requirement is shared with all content areas, not just English teachers, meaning NO CLASSIC LIT will ever be removed to satisfy these requirements.  Take away Romeo and Juliet from a 9th grade English teacher...see what happens. See my Content Literacy Webpage for resources and sample lessons. 

Common Core is a curriculum. 

Common Core is not a curriculum or "program" in our state.  As I mentioned earlier, we still decide when, what, and how to teach. Alabama ONLY added those standards to our own.  We can change them any time we want.  As a matter of fact, the SDE has already made changes to both math and English documents, disproving the myth that we cannot alter them.

For our non-teacher readers, let me briefly explain the difference between a course of study and a curriculum.  In our English Language Arts CCRS (Grade 6), a standard reads, "Differentiate among odes, ballads, epic poetry, and science fiction."  The teacher decides which ballads, odes, poetry, and science fiction pieces to read.  He or she decides when and how to teach that standard, as well as how to access it. The elements in blue make up the curriculum.   See a sample syllabus. 

Common Core means more assessments.

I can only speak for Alabama on this one.  We are not a Race to the Top state, so Alabama has the freedom to assess how they choose (which in my opinion, is a good thing).  Long before the Common Core, Dr. Bice (not yet the state superintendent)  spoke at a teacher conference I attended.  In it, he mentioned his vision for Alabama, where students could take the ACT in high school as part of their state assessment. He further discussed plans for 3rd-8th grade assessments.  His words were music to our ears.  Finally - assessments that made sense!  

Most Race to the Top states utilize the PARCC or Smarter Balance assessments for students.  Alabama did not. Instead, we chose to use the ACT suite for grades 8-12 and the ASPIRE for grades 3-8.  Alabama is the first state in the country to use ASPIRE.  ASPIRE fully aligns with our math and English courses of study, meaning we're actually being assessed on what we taught.   As for the ACT suite for upper grades, every 11th grader in the state will take the ACT plus Writing...for free.  Do people understand how many students will now receive college scholarships as a result?   I know many stellar students who did not take the ACT because of the cost or because they "never got around to it."  These students did not attend college, and that haunts me to this day.  I am certain they would have received partial or full scholarships, based on their ACT scores.  That will not happen again, thanks to Dr. Bice. 

Common Core invades our children's privacy. 

Another easy one.  First, Alabama schools follow FERPA to the letter of the law.  We value our students' and parents' privacy, almost as much as they do.  

Since the beginning of public education, schools have shared data within the school, district, and/or state (absences, grades, assessments, discipline referals, etc.).  That will never change.  Our test scores are a measure of our success, whether we like it or not.  I agree, there are other ways to do so, but for now, that's the way it's always been. 

Common Core reduces public schools' transparency.

Since the inception of the Internet, our public schools have been more transparent than ever.  Schools have living, breathing websites that are updated daily.  In addition to a robust website, my system (and many others) have Twitter and Facebook pages.  We even post best CCRS practices (along with the actual standard addressed). We send text alerts, emails, and phone calls on a regular basis.  If stakeholders don't know what's happening in our schools, they aren't listening or looking.

As for the CCRS, those public drafts were posted on the Alabama State Department of Education website for months.  Dr. Bice led many regional meetings, where parents and stakeholders were asked for input.

If there is another concern or claim you'd like me to address, just shoot me an email, and I'll be glad to oblige: melisssa_shields@ecboe.org

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Excellent "Common" Sense articles about our CCRS

Common core' education standards repeal efforts should be abandoned altogether

Education opposition commonly off-target

Beyond the Politics of Common-Core Standards

CCRS Rally Speech

I was honored to be asked to speak at today's CCRS Rally, held on the steps of our state's Capitol Building.   I can't express how proud I was to stand among so many other Alabamians who truly value our students' education.   Businesses leaders, teachers, administrators, military families, parents, students, and legislators gathered together with one voice - "Support Our Schools. Support the CCRS!"  It was an incredible experience.  Couldn't be prouder to be an educator in this great state.   

Below is my speech.  Feel free to use any of it to share with your senators and legislators.  

 Melissa Shields
melissa_shields@ecboe.org

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First, I would like to say that as a teacher and a mother, I would be the first to speak up if I felt these standards were not in the best interest of our students and our communities. I am outraged that this movement against them has gained so much momentum....that absurd mistruths and fear tactics have been used to slander our dedicated teachers.   

I challenge you to review our College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS), any grade, either English Language Arts or Math.  You will only find strong 21^st Century standards, standards that ask our students to think, create, argue,  publish…..no more "Sit and Get."  There are no politics, no anti-religious rhetoric, no liberal (or conservative) ideals. 

Until a few months ago, I was reminding our teachers that this is the most exciting time to be a teacher; our schools are the best they have ever been.   Teachers have a voice, and THEY can decide how to best teach their students (contrary to what the opponents say).  We’re using assessments that make sense, ones that will actually help our students receive college scholarships. 

In our math classrooms, students are learning multiple ways solve problems. Our system teacher of the year recently blogged, “My students are becoming well-rounded mathematicians and really great thinkers. They're excited and eager, and the thinking strategies they'reusing are overlapping into other areas of the curriculum. Finally, I feel like I'm doing what's right for students when it comes to teaching math" (click hyperlink to view blog). 

It seems to me we have a semantics issue. We teachers just want to continue implementing the College and Career Ready Standards, which do include, but are not limited to the Common Core standards. No one can argue that these studies are not more rigorous and reflective of 21st Century instruction than the previous from 2003 and 2007.  Know this.  Common Core is not a curriculum or "program" in our state.  We still decide when, what, and how to teach - those elements make a curriculum.  I promise you this: if the government ever tries to tell us what and how to teach our students, you'll be hearing my voice from every rooftop.  I wouldn't have it, and I speak for every teacher I know. 

From my experience, CCRS opponents DO NOT understand the nature of curricula and courses of study. They have NOT visited public school classrooms to see the standards being taught.  They WILL NOT have a discussion with public school teachers (Believe me, I have tried).  Essentially, they have NO IDEA what's happening in our great schools.   On the contrary, those you see here today and the thousands of teachers changing lives at this very moment have devoted their lives to educating Alabama's students. That is our only agenda.   Why would we support these standards if we didn't believe in them....if we didn’t know they could transform our classrooms and better prepare our students?

My daughter  is a thriving Advanced Placement student in her small, rural high school.   Our students have been taught Common Core standards for years in our Math and English Advanced Placement and Pre-AP (LTF) courses, as the Common Core standards are aligned to Advanced Placement.  The AP Literature course we teach here in Alabama is the same AP Literature course in the most elite private schools in the country.  They follow the SAME STANDARDS. Currently, Alabama is ranked #1 in Math, Science, and English AP growth. 

I've received numerous emails and calls from our teachers, wanting to know how they can stop this madness.  Until last week, I think most of our teachers did not take these bills seriously because honestly, the claims are so far-reaching and ridiculous, it's hard for them to believe that anyone, especially our elected officials, would take these accusations to heart.   

I leave with this....We also want to preserve the conservative ideals of our state, but we vehemently disagree that our College and Career Ready Standards deter from them. My gut tells me the truth will prevail (as we teach our students), and our elected officials will place their faith in us.  I pray they prove me right.   

CCRS Support Links

CCRS Support Links and Resources - Share with Your Senators and Legislators

Huntsville City Schools' Parents Support the CCRS

Huntsville Chamber of Commerce's Letter of CCRS Support

Let's Stand Up for Learning Standards: Open Letter to the People of Alabama 
(Letter Written by Cathy Gassenheimer, Executive Vice President, Alabama Best Practices Center, A+ Education Partnership) 


"The Alabama Legislature needs to rely on experts in matters of education." 

Article on TimesDaily.com

Why Conservatives Should Support the Common Core


The Truth about Common Core 
Why are prominent conservatives criticizing a set of rigorous educational standards? 


Elois Zeanah: Her Common Core Standards propaganda broken down (video)

Lessons (Video) Utilizing "Common Core" Standards

Etowah County Teacher of the Year Describes Her 4th Grade Students' Transformation in Math  Since Implementing the CCRS

CCRS Letter (Dr. Rudolph) - Do Your Homework

Former Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Celia Rudolph, speaks out.  She hits on everything misinformed opponents need to hear.   I've used the "kick in the gut" euphemism several times myself.  That's exactly what these last few months have felt like.  Thanks, Dr. Rudolph, for submitting your letter to our blog.  Melissa 

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Dear Mr./Mrs. Legislator, 

Thank you for serving our state.  It is my hope that you will read this email in its entirety. 

I am a 29-year veteran employee of Alabama's public schools.   I've worked in school systems in north Alabama as well as in south Alabama, and in Pennsylvania. Because of this experience, I feel I have a good perspective of not only the discrepancies that exist in funding and expectations in our state, but also what other states are doing, and about their perception of Alabama's public schools. I recently retired as the Assistant Superintendent of the high-achieving system in  Muscle Shoals City,  and now serve as Chair of the Teacher Education Program at Huntingdon College in Montgomery where we are preparing outstanding teachers for Alabama's children.  In short, I have devoted my life's work to Alabama's school children and I still believe in a free and appropriate education for all. 

The Alabama College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS) are the last chance for Alabama's public school children to achieve to their highest potential.  Please do not deny our children the most rigorous standards we've seen yet in Alabama.  These standards are NOT Obama-led standards; they are not driven by Bill Gates.  Please do your homework. These standards are a grassroots efforts by a consortium of states who got together to improve public education in America by having mutual expectations for students across states. I have been studying these standards since before Alabama ever even considered adopting them as our Course of Study standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics.   We have always had Courses of Study for our content areas in Alabama, and have always aligned our standards with national organizations such as NCTM for mathematics (National Council for Teachers of Mathematics), and NCSS for social studies (National Council for Social Studies), and NASPE  for PE (National Standards for Physical Education), and I could go on and on for music, art, reading, the sciences, etc.  Therefore, I can not understand why, now, this is a big issue. The bottom line is that Alabama's school children - black, white, purple, rich, and poor - deserve the absolute highest quality education and the highest quality standards as a framework for their curriculum. The current courses of study (with the CCRS embedded) provide these standards. Moreover, Courses of Study in Alabama have always been a framework for curriculum; teachers may add what they wish.  Ask any teacher.

These standards are not political; there should be nothing political about teaching a student to “apply the properties of integer exponents to generate equivalent numerical expressions”(Grade 8 Mathematics), nor to “distinguish among the subcategories of poetry, such as ballads, lyric poems, epics, haiku, and limericks, based on their characteristics”(8th Grade English Language Arts). If you do not know exactly what the CCRS standards say, and you are basing your opinion on hearsay, I encourage you to scrutinize yourself the CCRS online at ALEX, the Alabama Learning Exchange (http://alex.state.al.us/index.php), and click on Courses of Study. Please see for yourself that these standards are rigorous standards, requiring students to think critically with descriptors such as "analyze", "solve", "apply", and "compare".  Not just rote memorization. There are no suggestions of books, no requirement of literature, and no hint of left-wing life-style. If there were, I would vehemently oppose them; moreover, if you have previously believed these things, you are grossly misinformed. 

If the CCRS are not implemented statewide in Alabama, then it is my opinion that we will, at best, have a haphazard approach to preparing our children for college or a career.  Eliminating the CCRS standards will have a huge impact upon the ability to attract desirable industry (due to the lack of rigor and expectation of excellence) in our state as well as give our sister southern states a “talking point” they will readily use against us in recruiting industry. 

The recent decisions of the House and Senate have been a “kick in the gut” for me – and for all of us who have given our lives to improving public education in Alabama. The very fabric of our society is made up of workers who are products of public schools, and it is quite disheartening to see such a lack of trust in building up this piece of our government. I might add that I’ve voted Republican the great majority of the time, and am disappointed that the party to which I mainly align has been blinded by lies about the CCRS.

I would welcome a conversation with you about this matter.

Sincerely,
Dr. Celia Rudolph
crudolph@huntingdon.edu