Why are people so upset about Common Core?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, yes, and sometimes there is a very tight relationship with these companies and school boards, superintendents, etc. This is nothing new, but Common Core changes bring about a wholesale "need" for new materials.

And thank goodness, too, because I'm tired of science textbooks written to Texas's standards for "science".

[Anonymous]

http://www.npr.org/2014/03/19/291312027/common-core-creates-opportunities-for-publishers


Don't believe that it will change anything. The palms will be greased and the purchases will be made.

[Anonymous]

So we're supposed to be against the Common Core standards because publishers make money when curricula change?

That doesn't sound to me like an objection to the Common Core standards. It sounds to me like an objection to capitalism.

Also I can't figure out why the Obama administration would be supporting it, given that they're socialists and all.

[Anonymous]

Yes but hasn't this always been true- that publishers benefit from making educational materials? I mean tbsts their business after all. Or are you suggesting something more sinister- that the publishers themselves are who initiated or persuaded state and federal govts to crest and adopt common core through lobbying and donations? Did these companies have too much influence over the standards development?

I know I'm naive but having a difficult time figuring out what exactly is going on.

[Anonymous]

Believe me, with all the states adopting this, it will bring HUGE contracts.

[Anonymous]

With testing, systems will be looking for even larger contracts--materials, lessons, texts. and TESTS--all from the same company.

[Anonymous]

With the desire for uniformity in classrooms, there will be more demand for texts and less for teacher "creativity".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With testing, systems will be looking for even larger contracts--materials, lessons, texts. and TESTS--all from the same company.

So what is the company? Who owns it and how did it get the contracts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Suggest you investigate where the money is going.

Ok, this is what I've figured out so far:
Taxpayers, to:
State government, to:
Publishing company, to:
????

This is where I get stuck. Where does the money go after that?

[Anonymous]

So what is the company? Who owns it and how did it get the contracts?

There is not ONE company--but there is just a handful of publishers. From what I have seen so far, Pearson appears to have the most contracts, but I don't know. It is the fact that I am sure they are ALL lobbying hard for Common Core.

[Anonymous]

Palms get greased all over school system and their selection committees. I'm sure they are lobbying right now in all state legislatures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So what is the company? Who owns it and how did it get the contracts?

There is not ONE company--but there is just a handful of publishers. From what I have seen so far, Pearson appears to have the most contracts, but I don't know. It is the fact that I am sure they are ALL lobbying hard for Common Core.

And lobbying is completely unprecedented in the history of educational publishing companies. Before the Common Core, they never lobbied anybody. Not anywhere, not once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the desire for uniformity in classrooms, there will be more demand for texts and less for teacher "creativity".

But no! The Common Core is bad because there AREN'T any textbooks. Just lousy worksheets! Haven't you been paying attention?

[Anonymous]

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000036571

Check out the increase over the last few years.........wonder what the total marketing budget is?

[Anonymous]

And lobbying is completely unprecedented in the history of educational publishing companies. Before the Common Core, they never lobbied anybody. Not anywhere, not once.

I said it wasn't new. However, there is a huge increase in demand and money will be spent. Pay attention.