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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Anonymous wrote:
http://dianeravitch.net/2014/04/23/who-wrote-the-common-core-standards-here-is-a-list/

Here is a major part of the problem.

Please explain -- starting with what the problem is, specifically[/quote]

My problem is the same as Ravitch's problem.  How many classroom teachers were involved?[/quote]

No, that's not a problem. That's a question. Is your problem that the standards are bad because classroom teachers were not involved in their development?[/quote]

Not the PP, [b]but you can go back to my long post and read what the TX Education Commissioner said - they wanted him to sign onto acceptance before the standards were even written.[/b] Would you sign a contract without knowing the terms? Now ask yourself why not.[/quote]

OK, time for a fact check.

I went back to the long post and read what the former Texas Education Commissioner SAID, then checked the document that he was actually asked to SIGN.

Here's what he SAID:

"My experience with the Common Core actually started when I was asked to sign on to them before they were written. … I was told I needed to sign a letter agreeing to the Common Core, and I asked if I might read them first, which is, I think, appropriate.  I was told they hadn’t been written, but they still wanted my signature on the letter"

Here's the text from the Memorandum of Agreement he was asked to SIGN:

[quote]Purpose. This document commits states to a state-led [b]process[/b] that will draw on evidence and lead to [b]development [/b]and adoption of a common core of state standards (common core) in English language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. These standards will be aligned with college and work expectations, include rigorous content and skills, and be internationally benchmarked. The intent is that these standards will be aligned to state assessment and classroom practice. The second phase of this initiative will be the development of common assessments aligned to the core standards developed through this process.

(snip)

Develop K-12 Standards in English Language Arts and Math. CCSSO and the NGA Center will convene Achieve, ACT, and the College Board in an open, inclusive, and efficient process to develop K-12 standards that are grounded in empirical research and draw on best practices in standards development. [b]We will ask participating states to provide input into the drafting of the common core and work as partners in the common core standards development process[/b]. This work will be completed by December 2009.

(snip)

[b]The goal of this effort is to develop a true common core of state standards[/b] that are internationally benchmarked. Each state adopting the common core either directly or by fully aligning its state standards may do so in accordance with current state timelines for standards adoption not to exceed three (3) years.
 
[b]This effort is voluntary for states, and it is fully intended that states adopting the common core may choose to include additional state standards beyond the common core[/b]. States that choose to align their standards to the common core standards agree to ensure that the common core represents at least 85 percent of the state’s standards in English language arts and mathematics.

[/quote]

The Memorandum of Agreement was asking states to commit to a process of developing the standards.  They were asking states to sign on to the process, and  to help in the drafting of the standards.

Signing this letter in no way obligated Texas or any state to adopt the eventual standards that were designed.

If states did, in the end adopt the standards and become "Common Core" states, the standards (more math and language arts) were meant to be the core of the state's standards -- up to 85% of the standards would be Common Core for math and Language arts.   Science and Social studies of course would be up to states to design their own standards.

The purpose of this Memo of Understanding was to get the states interested in designing the Common Core State Standards, to sign up to do so.

So when Scott said "I was told they hadn’t been written, but they still wanted my signature on the letter." -- he completely misinterpreted the point of this Memorandum of Understanding.   Completely.   Because when people hear what he said, they interpret it this way:   "I was told I had to sign off agreeing Texas would adopt all these standards, but they wouldn't let me actually read the standards, in fact they hadn't been written."

That plays into people's fears.  That is a complete misrepresentation of the document he was asked to sign -- a document saying that his state was agreeing to develop the standards.

[/quote]

You do understand that everything you wrote is speculative, correct? [/quote]

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