We've heard it over and over... Any opposition to *common core gets blamed on The Tea Party. However, republican politicians blame cc opposition on "special interests" because they really need Tea Party support and don't want to burn any proverbial bridges with the party--those sly devils! The reality is that common core is a bipartisan issue. There are no sides of the fence to sling mud on because everyone is covered in it, courtesy of Bill Gates' money-pit.
We have news for you: The only Tea Party that we Momma Bears know of involves our daughters, some dolls, a few teddy bears, and a teapot. We're not radical. We're not political. We're Moms.
Now, to be honest, we've met some Tea Party people during this common core battle, and they're pretty nice people. It is obvious they love America and are passionate about American rights. Frankly, we wish more people were that way. The level of apathy in most citizens is just plain sad. It is much easier to just pretend it isn't happening, and let someone else deal with it. But we Momma Bears can't ignore what is happening because it IS affecting our children. We see it its negative effects right before our eyes. We hear about it daily from other parents across the country, so we know it isn't just our community that is affected.
Now, to be honest, we've met some Tea Party people during this common core battle, and they're pretty nice people. It is obvious they love America and are passionate about American rights. Frankly, we wish more people were that way. The level of apathy in most citizens is just plain sad. It is much easier to just pretend it isn't happening, and let someone else deal with it. But we Momma Bears can't ignore what is happening because it IS affecting our children. We see it its negative effects right before our eyes. We hear about it daily from other parents across the country, so we know it isn't just our community that is affected.
Strange timing...
This blog has been in-the-works for the past few weeks, and, lo and behold, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, just happens to insult us moms as we were putting the finishing touches on this post. Oh. No. He. Didn't... Oh yes, he did! He said the pushback to his beloved Common Corporate federal standards is coming from:
“white suburban moms who — all of a sudden — their child isn’t as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn’t quite as good as they thought they were.”
Yes, he really said that. Aw, snap! That was the sound of intelligent, insulted parents across the country as their jaws hit the floor in disbelief that the U.S. Secretary of Education would throw our children (and us) under the bus like that.
We are opposed to common core, but not for the reason he claims. Our children are just fine, thankyouverymuch. Mommas know when fibbing is going on. We know that data has been manipulated to make it appear that American students are behind other countries academically. The truth is POVERTY in the USA is an undeniable factor on test scores. If the test scores of children in poverty weren't included, the USA leads the world in high test scores. And, unlike some countries, the USA tests every student in public school, rich or poor. Just look at this article posted last week about the 11 perfect scores on this AP Calculus test. All 11 students were from the USA. The test was given in 59 countries. BAM! We bet those Mommas and teachers are proud of those kids! And, to think, those students weren't raised with common core!
The nation who is "winning" the global education race is Finland - a country that does not have common core. In fact, Finland doesn't even have standardized tests. Finnish teachers are treated like rock stars and paid respectably. Class sizes are small in Finland. Oh, and Finland's poverty rate is less than 5%. The USA poverty rate is between 20-25%. Bingo.
The reality is that we Moms, Dads, teachers, principals, and even our elected officials are finding out that we've been duped. We've been sold a lemon with common core. The evidence is impossible to ignore. After our children are tucked in bed at night, we Momma Bears research common core and education reform until our eyes hurt. We email each other links and share them on facebook. We contact our school boards and legislators with proof that these reforms are hurting our children and schools.
The common denominator in all of this common core and reform-baloney is: MONEY. Our children are profiting corporations and investors. Momma Bears will tackle these greedy organizations in upcoming blogs. Stay tuned!
Next blog: Pear$on Publi$hing in the U$A
This blog has been in-the-works for the past few weeks, and, lo and behold, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, just happens to insult us moms as we were putting the finishing touches on this post. Oh. No. He. Didn't... Oh yes, he did! He said the pushback to his beloved Common Corporate federal standards is coming from:
“white suburban moms who — all of a sudden — their child isn’t as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn’t quite as good as they thought they were.”
Yes, he really said that. Aw, snap! That was the sound of intelligent, insulted parents across the country as their jaws hit the floor in disbelief that the U.S. Secretary of Education would throw our children (and us) under the bus like that.
We are opposed to common core, but not for the reason he claims. Our children are just fine, thankyouverymuch. Mommas know when fibbing is going on. We know that data has been manipulated to make it appear that American students are behind other countries academically. The truth is POVERTY in the USA is an undeniable factor on test scores. If the test scores of children in poverty weren't included, the USA leads the world in high test scores. And, unlike some countries, the USA tests every student in public school, rich or poor. Just look at this article posted last week about the 11 perfect scores on this AP Calculus test. All 11 students were from the USA. The test was given in 59 countries. BAM! We bet those Mommas and teachers are proud of those kids! And, to think, those students weren't raised with common core!
The nation who is "winning" the global education race is Finland - a country that does not have common core. In fact, Finland doesn't even have standardized tests. Finnish teachers are treated like rock stars and paid respectably. Class sizes are small in Finland. Oh, and Finland's poverty rate is less than 5%. The USA poverty rate is between 20-25%. Bingo.
The reality is that we Moms, Dads, teachers, principals, and even our elected officials are finding out that we've been duped. We've been sold a lemon with common core. The evidence is impossible to ignore. After our children are tucked in bed at night, we Momma Bears research common core and education reform until our eyes hurt. We email each other links and share them on facebook. We contact our school boards and legislators with proof that these reforms are hurting our children and schools.
The common denominator in all of this common core and reform-baloney is: MONEY. Our children are profiting corporations and investors. Momma Bears will tackle these greedy organizations in upcoming blogs. Stay tuned!
Next blog: Pear$on Publi$hing in the U$A
*Dear English teachers & Grammar Nazis:
Please note that "common core" is purposely not capitalized in our blog because we don't really think it is a Proper Noun. Everyone knows that common things do not get capitalized. It does not deserve the respect that capital letters imply. And if the real owners of common core (whoever they are) want to sue us, then bring it on. We just might sue them back, too, for taking spelling out of our children's education.
We may also affectionately refer to common core as: corporate core, common core Federal standards, common crap, etc. Of course, you are smart enough to know what we mean (and probably clever to come up with your own name for cc$$).
Please note that "common core" is purposely not capitalized in our blog because we don't really think it is a Proper Noun. Everyone knows that common things do not get capitalized. It does not deserve the respect that capital letters imply. And if the real owners of common core (whoever they are) want to sue us, then bring it on. We just might sue them back, too, for taking spelling out of our children's education.
We may also affectionately refer to common core as: corporate core, common core Federal standards, common crap, etc. Of course, you are smart enough to know what we mean (and probably clever to come up with your own name for cc$$).
