Common Core

I am opposed to Common Core.  I am opposed to Utah Core, which is the same thing simply with a different name.  I believe in local control! I believe nothing regarding education should come from the federal government.  I think state standards, if we have them at all, should be minimal. Ideally, I would like to see districts and schools set their own standards and curriculum. That is how we will have the greatest amount of autonomy, accountability, and flexibility.

Teachers need autonomy to adjust their curriculum to the needs of the students in their classes.  Children are all unique, with different strengths, needs, and weaknesses.  Children should never be put into a on-size-fits-all standard, and only the people closest to those children, who live in their communities and know the local culture, can make those determinations best - the schools, the teachers and the parents!

I often hear the reasoning, "It's the law, so there's nothing we can do about it!"  This is not what Americans do!  Americans do not surrender to bad laws.  Whenever there is a law that needs to be changed or doesn't work, we either modify it or get rid of it.  There are states across the country who are realizing their mistake in signing on to Common Core, who are now backing out.

"The good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army.  They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves."
--Thomas Jefferson