Ravitch? She's for the education of children.

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan really does have no clue. Common Core was developed by big business and the Gates Foundation with minimal input from educational leaders. I'm hoping that within a few years, with all the protests and opting-out of tests that seem to be spreading, we'll have a more educationally-sound system (or set of systems). Check out Diane Ravitch's site -- she used to be gung-ho for NCLB but is now firmly against it and Common Core.

You need to stop having an opinion on this since it's so grossly uninformed.

http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/policypoints/PolicyPoints_Common_Core_State_Standards.pdf

As for Ravitch, she seems to be against many, many things. What's she for?

Arne Duncan really does have no clue. Common Core was developed by big business and the Gates Foundation with minimal input from educational leaders. I'm hoping that within a few years, with all the protests and opting-out of tests that seem to be spreading, we'll have a more educationally-sound system (or set of systems). Check out Diane Ravitch's site -- she used to be gung-ho for NCLB but is now firmly against it and Common Core.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan has no clue.

Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Alaska are the only states that have not adopted Core.

Where is Virginia ranked for education? Who are you calling clueless? Gotta love the naysayers.

Virginia is ranked 26 with an education policy grade oh C-. We are teetering on average to below average. This is reality. Do what you can to make things better. Parent involvement at home and in the classroom, especially in the elementary years is one way of getting things kicked off right. In any case, don't kid yourself into thinking everything is peachy and perfect. We aren't doing that great.

True. But remember there is a big difference between Virginia and Northern Virginia.

Yeah, well. That sounds really scary for Virginia because we used to live in one of those "scary" urban districts in another state and their gen ed was like our AAP while their AAP blew us out of the water.

My "dream" is to combine NoVA with DC, PG County and Montgemery County to form the State of Columbia. It would be a good mix of SES to balance things out. We would FINALLY have adequate funding for Metro and could build a system worthy of of world class metro area. The Republicans would win the Senate in VA and MD, but the Dems would get Columbia. There are already regional Parks that would be the basis for a State park system. Several regional Universities that would become the State Unverisity system. (Don't know how it could be done practically, but a girl can dream.)

Why do you think this would be better? Your taxes would skyrocket. Look at the District. Do you really want that? Crappy schools and high taxes?

Anonymous wrote:

Problem is, they don't particularly *like* parent involvement. It always ends up giving them more headaches... Show of hands -- how many reading this thread have been trying to find out what their kids were really doing in the classroom, to no avail? Other than a few loose worksheets -- nada. Kids are studying Rome these days, for instance. Nary a word came home about it, and the online manual is not accessible. We can talk about the Romans at home until we're blue in the face -- if we diid not hit that minuscule detail the SOL wants them to know, he'll still have to only rely on the classroom work, sans parent contribution, to get her grade in school. I don't get it. How hard is it to have a textbook, so we can anchor our conversations?

Where do your kids go to school? That is certainly not my experience.

Mine, neither.

Anonymous wrote:

My "dream" is to combine NoVA with DC, PG County and Montgemery County to form the State of Columbia. It would be a good mix of SES to balance things out. We would FINALLY have adequate funding for Metro and could build a system worthy of of world class metro area. The Republicans would win the Senate in VA and MD, but the Dems would get Columbia. There are already regional Parks that would be the basis for a State park system. Several regional Universities that would become the State Unverisity system. (Don't know how it could be done practically, but a girl can dream.)

Gee. That would be my "nightmare".

Why?

Problem is, they don't particularly *like* parent involvement. It always ends up giving them more headaches... Show of hands -- how many reading this thread have been trying to find out what their kids were really doing in the classroom, to no avail? Other than a few loose worksheets -- nada. Kids are studying Rome these days, for instance. Nary a word came home about it, and the online manual is not accessible. We can talk about the Romans at home until we're blue in the face -- if we diid not hit that minuscule detail the SOL wants them to know, he'll still have to only rely on the classroom work, sans parent contribution, to get her grade in school. I don't get it. How hard is it to have a textbook, so we can anchor our conversations?

Where do your kids go to school? That is certainly not my experience.

My "dream" is to combine NoVA with DC, PG County and Montgemery County to form the State of Columbia. It would be a good mix of SES to balance things out. We would FINALLY have adequate funding for Metro and could build a system worthy of of world class metro area. The Republicans would win the Senate in VA and MD, but the Dems would get Columbia. There are already regional Parks that would be the basis for a State park system. Several regional Universities that would become the State Unverisity system. (Don't know how it could be done practically, but a girl can dream.)

Gee. That would be my "nightmare".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan has no clue.

Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Alaska are the only states that have not adopted Core.

Where is Virginia ranked for education? Who are you calling clueless? Gotta love the naysayers.

Virginia is ranked 26 with an education policy grade oh C-. We are teetering on average to below average. This is reality. Do what you can to make things better. Parent involvement at home and in the classroom, especially in the elementary years is one way of getting things kicked off right. In any case, don't kid yourself into thinking everything is peachy and perfect. We aren't doing that great.

Problem is, they don't particularly *like* parent involvement. It always ends up giving them more headaches... Show of hands -- how many reading this thread have been trying to find out what their kids were really doing in the classroom, to no avail? Other than a few loose worksheets -- nada. Kids are studying Rome these days, for instance. Nary a word came home about it, and the online manual is not accessible. We can talk about the Romans at home until we're blue in the face -- if we diid not hit that minuscule detail the SOL wants them to know, he'll still have to only rely on the classroom work, sans parent contribution, to get her grade in school. I don't get it. How hard is it to have a textbook, so we can anchor our conversations?

This observation is true and should give all parents GREAT pause. There is something inherently wrong with a public school system that doesn't engage parents. My hinky meter goes off immediately.

If you are in the dark, then do something about it. You are the parent..not someone just sitting by the sidelines. I am very involved with both of my kids. I am not going to wait until a parent teacher conference to find out what Is going on. That is ridiculous. School is not daycare or babysitting where you just dropoff, smile, and come back hours later to pickup. I have yet to meet a teacher who pushes parents away. My experience is that they advocate and want help from the parents whether it be class readers, parties, prep for class projects, school supplies, field trip chaperones, speakers, art projects, room mom, etc. All I can say is that time is precious. Don't just sit there and complain. When all is said and done, what is the glory in having hours and hours of saved up vacation time at work that you could have used to even volunteer just once for an hour or two. If you don't want to use up your vacation time, there are things you can do after hours. Ultimately, it is about commitment, priorities, and making the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan has no clue.

Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Alaska are the only states that have not adopted Core.

Where is Virginia ranked for education? Who are you calling clueless? Gotta love the naysayers.

Virginia is ranked 26 with an education policy grade oh C-. We are teetering on average to below average. This is reality. Do what you can to make things better. Parent involvement at home and in the classroom, especially in the elementary years is one way of getting things kicked off right. In any case, don't kid yourself into thinking everything is peachy and perfect. We aren't doing that great.

Problem is, they don't particularly *like* parent involvement. It always ends up giving them more headaches... Show of hands -- how many reading this thread have been trying to find out what their kids were really doing in the classroom, to no avail? Other than a few loose worksheets -- nada. Kids are studying Rome these days, for instance. Nary a word came home about it, and the online manual is not accessible. We can talk about the Romans at home until we're blue in the face -- if we diid not hit that minuscule detail the SOL wants them to know, he'll still have to only rely on the classroom work, sans parent contribution, to get her grade in school. I don't get it. How hard is it to have a textbook, so we can anchor our conversations?

This observation is true and should give all parents GREAT pause. There is something inherently wrong with a public school system that doesn't engage parents. My hinky meter goes off immediately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan has no clue.

Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Alaska are the only states that have not adopted Core.

Where is Virginia ranked for education? Who are you calling clueless? Gotta love the naysayers.

Virginia is ranked 26 with an education policy grade oh C-. We are teetering on average to below average. This is reality. Do what you can to make things better. Parent involvement at home and in the classroom, especially in the elementary years is one way of getting things kicked off right. In any case, don't kid yourself into thinking everything is peachy and perfect. We aren't doing that great.

True. But remember there is a big difference between Virginia and Northern Virginia.

NP here. Wow...really??? Dang.... N. Virginia might as well be its own state like W. Virginia.....lol.

You do realize that has been seriously considered, right?

O/T: Northern Virginia separating from Southern Virginia is my dream. I am SICK of our backward, non-progressive ways in this state (some progress this State Assembly year on job growth, mental health laws, education, transportation. Rejection however of our already paid federal tax money being given to us on Medicaid expansion for some 400,000 Virginia poor. This results in our federal tax money paid going to states who accepts federal monies for Medicaid expansion. Pity the poor in Virginia.

OP- Virginia SOLS instead of Common Core is a good example of sticking to what Virginia legislatures are comfortable with at the suggestion of the Virginia DOE. That's an example of what I see year of year with our Assembly, like a circle just going round and round until a huge deficit or horrible event happens that foments some action.

That said there are good public Northern Virginia school systems out there if you are selective. Good luck.

They wouldn't have to move the "Welcome to VA" rest stops at all - since they are in Manasses and Fredericksburg.

My "dream" is to combine NoVA with DC, PG County and Montgemery County to form the State of Columbia. It would be a good mix of SES to balance things out. We would FINALLY have adequate funding for Metro and could build a system worthy of of world class metro area. The Republicans would win the Senate in VA and MD, but the Dems would get Columbia. There are already regional Parks that would be the basis for a State park system. Several regional Universities that would become the State Unverisity system. (Don't know how it could be done practically, but a girl can dream.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan has no clue.

Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Alaska are the only states that have not adopted Core.

Where is Virginia ranked for education? Who are you calling clueless? Gotta love the naysayers.

Virginia is ranked 26 with an education policy grade oh C-. We are teetering on average to below average. This is reality. Do what you can to make things better. Parent involvement at home and in the classroom, especially in the elementary years is one way of getting things kicked off right. In any case, don't kid yourself into thinking everything is peachy and perfect. We aren't doing that great.

Problem is, they don't particularly *like* parent involvement. It always ends up giving them more headaches... Show of hands -- how many reading this thread have been trying to find out what their kids were really doing in the classroom, to no avail? Other than a few loose worksheets -- nada. Kids are studying Rome these days, for instance. Nary a word came home about it, and the online manual is not accessible. We can talk about the Romans at home until we're blue in the face -- if we diid not hit that minuscule detail the SOL wants them to know, he'll still have to only rely on the classroom work, sans parent contribution, to get her grade in school. I don't get it. How hard is it to have a textbook, so we can anchor our conversations?

My experience is that the schools keep parents in the dark somewhat on purpose so the crazy parents can't do the assignments for the kids. At my DC's school, the assignments are largely completed during class so the teachers can see what the kids can actually do on their own. Pathetic, if you think about it, but necessary because of all of the crazy competitive parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arne Duncan has no clue.

Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have adopted the Common Core State Standards. Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Alaska are the only states that have not adopted Core.

Where is Virginia ranked for education? Who are you calling clueless? Gotta love the naysayers.

Virginia is ranked 26 with an education policy grade oh C-. We are teetering on average to below average. This is reality. Do what you can to make things better. Parent involvement at home and in the classroom, especially in the elementary years is one way of getting things kicked off right. In any case, don't kid yourself into thinking everything is peachy and perfect. We aren't doing that great.

True. But remember there is a big difference between Virginia and Northern Virginia.

NP here. Wow...really??? Dang.... N. Virginia might as well be its own state like W. Virginia.....lol.

You do realize that has been seriously considered, right?

O/T: Northern Virginia separating from Southern Virginia is my dream. I am SICK of our backward, non-progressive ways in this state (some progress this State Assembly year on job growth, mental health laws, education, transportation. Rejection however of our already paid federal tax money being given to us on Medicaid expansion for some 400,000 Virginia poor. This results in our federal tax money paid going to states who accepts federal monies for Medicaid expansion. Pity the poor in Virginia.

OP- Virginia SOLS instead of Common Core is a good example of sticking to what Virginia legislatures are comfortable with at the suggestion of the Virginia DOE. That's an example of what I see year of year with our Assembly, like a circle just going round and round until a huge deficit or horrible event happens that foments some action.

That said there are good public Northern Virginia school systems out there if you are selective. Good luck.

I believe the SOL is mostly inclusive of the Common Core. Is that right?