Stanford mathematician and former Common Core validation committee member Dr. James Milgram spoke on Fox News recently, calling out math damages to student college preparation under the Common Core.  Watch that five minute segment here. Dr. Milgram said: “I was very unhappy with them [the Common Core standards] from the beginning.  At the end of […]

Do the math — Common Core = a massive, risky experiment on your kids Yesterday’s Fox News editorial by Emmett McGroarty and James Milgram is staggeringly important. I’ve pasted excerpts. Plese read the whole article at this link. Remember that James Milgram is a former NASA mathematician, Stanford math professor, and the only true mathematician […]

Hear Dr. Sandra Stotsky and Dr. James Milgram explain to interviewer Ann Marie Banfield why they each refused to sign off on the academic legitimacy of the Common Core standards, when they served as official Common Core validation committee members. Intro is about five minutes; Dr. Stotsky begins to speak at about minute 5:00.

Before I post Dr. Sandra Stotsky’s most recent testimony, I will tell you why I am a devoted fan of Dr. Stotsky and why I’m a tomato-thrower at the Common Core version of English Language Arts. Despite its charming claims, Common Core deforms –not reforms– the English classroom. Common Core stifles the joy of learning […]

             by Dr. Sandra Stotsky Not by using Common Core-based standards and tests, for sure, or anything that looks like them.  As anyone can see, the English language arts and mathematics standards dumped by the Governor Patrick-appointed Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in July 2010 are nothing like Common Core’s […]

Adding to the Breitbart report that many have already have seen is this report by Dr. Sandra Stotsky, who was present during this month’s Common Core promotional visit by Secretary of Education to California.  The U.S. Secretary of Education ignored parent protesters but spoke about his programs for implementing Common Core, including his aim to lengthen the school […]

Why Do Common Core’s Supporters Try to Discredit Critics of Common Core’s Mathematics Standards? by Dr. Sandra Stotsky   Professor R. James Milgram, for over 40 years a full professor of mathematics at Stanford University, and I did a 13-city speaking tour on Common Core throughout California in November. At all of the meetings, Professor Milgram […]

CALL TO ACTION: UTAHNS, VOICE YOUR CONCERNS! Governor Herbert has asked for feedback on the Common Core Standards.  Send him an overwhelming, undeniable message that the standards are strongly opposed by going to the Governor’s special website to take a Common Core survey.  The survey ends on August 31st, 2014.  Please ADD YOUR VOICE.  Here’s […]

A smiling school board member, tired of me and unwilling to fight the Common Core monster, advised me to do what she does: focus on the positive parts of Common Core.  Be an optimist, she said. “The positive parts?  –You mean the lies?” I thought, because I’ve not seen positive parts unless you count the positive–sounding parts. There are lots […]

#CANiSEE ™© SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE – COUNTERING COMMON CORE – JUNE 20 – 21, 2014 – AUSTIN, TEXAS   http://www.educationviews.org/canisee-solutions-conference-countering-common-core/   Because the pro-Common Core National PTA planned to have its convention in Austin, Texas, a group of educators and parents decided to hold a counter event. It is called #CANiSEE ™© Solutions Conference and will be held in Austin on June 20 […]

New Pioneer Institute Study Finds Common Core Standards Weren’t Properly Validated Five of the 29 members of the Common Core Validation Committee refused to sign a report attesting that the standards are research-based, rigorous and internationally benchmarked. The validation report was released with 24 signatures and included no mention that five committee members refused to […]

Let’s not call this research!   This is a fact-checking adventure. This adventure begins because of the FAQ statements about Common Core posted at the Provo  School District website.  (See it on their  website or just scroll to the bottom of the page where I’ve pasted it.) This post is not meant to be accusatory or mean.  Provo District and […]

What Is Common Core?  This post aims to be as unmistakably direct and documented as possible.    Feel free to use it without asking permission. DOES  COMMON CORE PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE? Not for a 4-year university.  It minimally prepares students for the non-collegiate workforce or for non-selective community colleges. A key Common Core creator, Jason Zimba, said […]

Utah radio personality Jason Williams of KVNU’s “For the People” has asked the public to submit questions for next week’s Common Core debate, which will take place at Mount Logan Middle School on January 6th, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Logan, Utah, at 875 N. 200 E. Submit questions to: jasonthe@gmail.com or kvnuftp@gmail.com. […]

https://whatiscommoncore.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/common-core-movie-building-the-machine-trailer/ I am impressed by the new Common Core movie trailer (that I shared yesterday) and I do hope it gets a million views. So, today I sent out an email link to the new Common Core documentary movie to many people I thought would be interested in it, both friends and foes: The state […]

Dr. Sandra Stotsky’s opinion editorial with Maureen Downey in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is just plain important. It’s published in this week’s AJC: SHOULD AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS PREPARE ANY STUDENTS FOR STEM? COMMON CORE DOESN’T THINK SO. By Sandra Stotsky When states adopted Common Core’s mathematics standards, they were told (among other things) that these standards […]

Dr. Sandra Stotsky, one of the famous Common Core validation committee members who refused to sign off on the legitimacy of Common Core, is alarmed that N.H. legislators are being sold a false line by Mark Tucker about Common Core. She points out, among other things, that the Gates Foundation has “given millions to help […]

Countless –countless– men and fathers are publically and boldly standing up against Common Core. It’s not only “white, suburban moms” who oppose Common Core, and it’s not only the right or the left, either– despite what the U.S. Secretary of Education has so absurdly claimed— not by a long shot. A very partial list of […]

One hundred thirty two Catholic Professors have taken “the extraordinary step” of signing a letter that asks all Catholic Bishops to stand up and firmly oppose Common Core. The letter says that “Sadly, over one hundred Catholic dioceses have set aside our teaching tradition in favor of these secular standards,” and says that “Common Core […]

Subservience to truly stupid ideas —like dumbing down high school math for economic gain— was never meant to be the destiny of the free American people. Yet that is what has happened to American education under Common Core. In the video testimony of Common Core creator Jason Zimba, in recent articles by the American Institutes […]

I can hardly wait to quote these ten brilliant American professors who have spoken out to say that the Common Core is far from its claim of representing academic excellence; that it’s a sheer academic tragedy. But before I share the professors’ words, let me tell you what sparked today’s post. I saw for the […]

On Monday, at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Sandra Stotsky will present a white paper about Common Core’s validation committee at a conference entitled “The Changing Role of Education in America: Consequences of the Common Core.” It is posted below. A few of powerful points from Dr. Stotsky’s paper: 1. “One aspect of the […]

Reporters from both the Deseret News and ABC Channel 4 t.v. surprised me last week by asking for interviews –on the subject of prayer, which I’d written about a few days earlier. I was really, really surprised to learn that praying is perceived as news. Or, at least, asking people to pray is perceived as […]

First, the federal government forces Americans to choose between giving our hard-earned educational tax dollars to them –or going to jail. Next, they promise to give back some of that money –so we can stretch it tightly across our educational budgets– after the feds pay themselves most of it. So far, so bad. Then, the […]

An opinion editorial by Glenn Jacobs in today’s Daily Caller says that the Common Core should be renamed the “Lowest Common Denominator.” He suggests that American schools have been scientifically designed to prevent over-education, thus “ensuring workers who will never be tempted to better their stations in life.” What do you think of that? Considering […]

Dr. Sandra Stotsky published an opinion editorial in today’s Deseret News, and has also been interviewed by Rod Arquette on his radio show at KNRS today, for this afternoon’s program. Sandra Stotsky is a lump of gold in a pile of pyrite. She’s one of the strongest voices in America, saying that we must study […]

Common Core proponents often say that the Common standards are “internationally benchmarked.” What an appealing concept– except that it’s not true. James Milgram, the mathematician who served on the Common Core validation committee and refused to sign off on the standards, said: “I can tell you that my main objection to Core Standards, and the […]

http://utahpubliceducation.org/2013/07/10/sit-in-my-seat/#comment-97870 When I saw that a Utah State School Board member had taken the time to (sort of) answer my questions about Common Core, I was grateful. When I realized that he had not read previous rebuttals on these same topics, I was discouraged. I don’t think they are studying what we have been asking […]

USA Today has published an op-ed by Emmett McGroarty. The author quotes Alisa Ellis of Utah and Anne Gassel of Missouri, parents who typify the Mama and Papa bears in opposing Common Core. From Alisa Ellis: “Administrators want parents like me to step back and be quiet, but we will not. These are my children, […]

Nice to see our neighbors to the North are talking about Common Core.  Here are two recent radio programs about Common Core from the Idaho Reporter. http://www.idahoreporter.com/2013/stacey-knudsen-of-idahoansforlocaleducation-com-discusses-common-core-academic-standards-on-the-austin-hill-show/ http://www.idahoreporter.com/2013/jamie-gass-education-policy-researcher-at-the-pioneer-institute-of-boston-ma-discusses-common-core-academic-standards-in-idaho-schools-calling-it-a-nationalized-school-standards-movemen/ Additional news –nationwide– all about the Common Core controversy: Ed Week: New Attack on Common Core From Pennsylvania Democrats http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2013/05/new_attack_on_common_core_from_pennsylvania_democrats.html Ed Week (Pioneer cited): Common-Core Pushback to the […]

John Merrow’s Investigation of Michelle Rhee. I’m posting this link to Diane Ravitch’s blog. Why? Yesterday, a Utah State School Board Member told me that Michelle Rhee is telling legislators to “reframe the debate” about Common Core– so that instead of it being about local control and the VOICE of the GOVERNED, it’s about being […]

I’m going to share some email strings from Utah school board members who are pro-common core, and me, and two mathematicians who are opposed to common core on academic grounds. Ze’ev Wurman: 2010 California Common Core math validation committee member and former Dept. of Education advisor; opposes Common Core. James Milgram: Stanford and NASA mathematician; […]

Watch this Arizona State Superintendent’s interview about Common Core.  She loves it!  https://originals.azpm.org/p/on-azweek/2013/2/8/22440-full-interview-with-associate-school-supt-hrabluk/ Notable highlights:   She calls Common Core “such a significant shift and focus in our educational system.”  Yes, it is.  But not for the better. She admits the Common Core allows much less classic literature/stories and increases informational text in its place.  She does not address […]

I’m calling for a hogwash alert on today’s National Review article about Common Core. The ironically titled  The Truth About Common Core article cannot be taken seriously.  It’s written without any links or references for its Common Core-promoting claims, and it’s written by two authors whose employers are largely funded by the main funder of all things Common Core. Can anyone take seriously those who […]

Today’s string of interesting emails (between my State School Board representative, Dixie Allen, and me)   On Sat, Feb 16, 2013 at 7:45 AM, <dixieleeallen@gmail.com> wrote: There is some very informative information in this weeks Ed Week – Thought you might gain some valuable insight – if you have time to check it out. Dixie  ——–   […]

Stop Common Core Talk given by Christel Swasey at the Weber County Republican Women’s Meeting Jan.7, 2013 A few months ago, a University of Utah exhibit displayed original documents, newspapers, books and letters written by Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin and many others. The exhibit did not only show the freedom fighters’ side of the argument, […]

The Utah Legislative Session begins in two weeks. It is short. Please call legislators, state school board members and Governor Herbert and ask for the following: •   UT LEGISLATORS MUST WRITE FREEING LEGISLATION – Utah should reclaim its educational sovereignty by following the lead of states such as Indiana and South Carolina which are attempting to […]

Who is this mysterious someone who’s spending so much time and energy analyzing Common Core’s math –anonymously?  It’s got to be a professional, an academic.  It must be someone who cannot come out and say “The Emperor is wearing no clothes” without losing his/her career standing.  I am sure it’s an educator. The passion with which he/she […]

Donna Garner has put together a list of resources for those who are just beginning the fight against the Common Core dissolution of sovereignty over American education.   Thank you, Donna. http://nocompromisepac.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=6457500%3ABlogPost%3A28400 9.25.12 — “Mitt Romney Takes Stand Against Common Core at Education Nation Summit” — http://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2012/09/mitt-romney-common-core-educ&#8230; ==================== 9.25.12 — “Romney: No Federal Support for Common Core” […]

Reposted highlights from: http://www.flashreport.org/featured-columns-library0b.php?faID=2012100907463885 ROMNEY BASHES OBAMA’S NATIONAL ED STANDARDS THAT DUMB DOWN CALIFORNIA MATH by Lance T. Izumi October 9, 2012 Governor Jerry Brown recently approved a new law that will eliminate algebra from California’s eighth-grade math standards.  While troubling, even more disturbing is the fact that this move is dictated by Sacramento’s adoption of […]

In a white house press release Obama gave two years ago, we find: “Today, the Obama Administration announced new efforts to promote college- and career-ready standards…  The President and Secretary Duncan applauded Governors for their efforts to work together in a state-led consortium… to develop and implement common reading and math standards that build toward college- and […]

  Is it smart to ignore the mathematical advice of a mathematician so highly regarded that he’s on the NASA advisory council?  Dr. James Milgram, Professor of Math at Stanford University, emeritus, had such serious reservations about the fuzzy math of Common Core (Obama’s educational movement) that Milgram refused to sign off on the standards’ adequacy– […]

Ted Rebarber with James Stergios at Utah’s Capitol James Stergios kindly provided this copy of the testimony he gave last month to education committee legislators in Salt Lake City. Testimony to the Utah 2012 Education Interim Committee by James Stergios Wednesday, August 15, 2012 I thank the co-Chairs of the Committee, Senator Howard Stephenson and […]

   We were watching Paul Ryan’s incredible Republican National Convention speech last night on t.v. when I got a text message that a reporter who was at the convention wanted to talk to me.  Me? I had submitted the idea to “Eliminate Common Core Collective Education” at the GOP website when they were soliciting grassroots […]

I wrote this letter to our State Superintendent today.  Do you think he’ll respond this time?  He never has before.  But hope springs eternal. Dear Superintendent Shumway, Although I have asked for a meeting with Carol Lear, with Judy Park, and with Brenda Hales, my requests have been turned down. As you may know, I’m a Utah […]

http://www.gopplatform2012.com/education/eliminate-common-core-collective-education If many people “second” the idea of eliminating Common Core, the Republican party leaders may choose to add this request as part of the national Republical platform.  That’s why I input my input.  Hope many choose to agree.  The quality of education and the future amendability of our local standards depends on getting out […]

At this link, you can submit ideas for the Republican Party as they update the platform. http://www.gopplatform2012.com/ I submitted the following today, but had to shorten it because they only take a certain number of words.   COMMON CORE IS NOT ACADEMICALLY SOUND It is a fact that the only math professor on the official Common […]

   Let’s reason with John Adams.  In 1763, Adams didn’t know  Utah would be facing the decision to reverse adoption of Common Core and reclaim local freedom over education, or not.  But he did know this much: “…[A]s we know that ignorance, vanity, excessive ambition and venality, will, in spite of all human precautions, creep into government, and will […]

Dear School Board, Superintendent Shumway and Governor Herbert, I am writing to express my gratitude to those who were instrumental in yesterday’s vote to reverse Utah’s membership in the SBAC testing consortium.  It was a heroic moment and America is watching. Early on, when I read the Cooperative Agreement between the SBAC and the Department of Education, I was […]

  We have to get rid of the Common Core Initiative  –if we actually care about quality education and freedom over education. Why? I’ll start with a little intro– why I care: I  hold an up-to-date Utah Level II teaching license and I have nine years of experience in classrooms. I’m currently a stay-home-mother.  My most […]

Dear Senator Lee, I’m writing to give evidence from the Race to the Top application, (under which Utah agreed to adopt Common Core standards) and evidence from the No Child Left Behind waiver that Utah just received from the Dept. of Education, to show states are being essentially forced to choose either NCLB or Common […]

Last night at the Wasatch School Board meeting, they handed out a flier that explained the district’s Secondary Math Sequence. First of all, let me just say that I like and appreciate all the teachers and principals in this little town.  They are caring, hard-working, wonderful people and I can’t thank them enough for all they […]

Have you ever played the game “Two truths and a lie”?  Each person gets a turn to say three statements.  Two of them must be true, and one must be false.  The listeners must try to guess which of the three statements is the lie. Sometimes I feel like the Utah State Office of Education […]

Dear Tami Pyfer,   I know you are busy and probably inundated with mail, but unfortunately, I cannot take you off the list of school board members with whom I am communicating as long as you are a valid member of this board.  http://schools.utah.gov/law/Administrative-Rules/ConsolidatedRules-CurrentThrough5-1-12.aspx The Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3 vests “general control and […]

Dear Kraig, Common Core is about my children ‘s education, and yours.   Fact:  Common core puts Algebra I in 9th grade.  It used to be in 8th grade.   This information was never given to parents in any of the fliers passed out about Common Core by our district or by USOE.  I learned […]

When my 9th grader told me she wasn’t learning anything in math this year, I didn’t understand why.  I didn’t have enough information to even begin asking administrators or teachers why.  But when the school year was almost over, because of a friend, I  found out what “Common Core” education was and I started to research  […]

What is the Common Core? Rather than simply tell you what I think it is, I will show two schools of thought and have you make your own determination about what Common Core is. If you read the definition set out by the Utah State Office of Education or your local school district, you’ll think Common Core is […]

I sat in the Early Life Child Psychology and Education center this week, watching Dr. Gary Thompson’s presentation about Common Core testing, thinking that Dr. Thompson is the fearless kid in the tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Dr. Thompson stands armed with honesty, science and evidence, pointing out that the Emperor of SAGE/Common Core tests […]

Common Core Down: Crossing the Line An Open Letter to Parent Advocates for Local Control Guest Post –by someone who wishes to remain anonymous The Common Core is going down. It is going down one way or another. It will happen sooner in some places and later in others. In large part it is going […]

In January 1986 I was a high school student in Orlando, watching out the window as the Challenger Space Shuttle launched about fifty miles away. Christa MacAuliffe, the first teacher in space, was being launched with a seven member crew. Then we all saw the explosion in the sky. The plumes represented total failure and […]

The official Common Core websites make the program sound good.  The Department of Education promotes it.  The purveyors of Common Core implementation guides make it sound magnificent.  Many educators have said they support it. At the same time, research groups, think tanks, parent groups, university professors and increasingly, more and more teachers,  stand against it.  So who’s […]

Organizations  and People Against Common Core: Heritage Foundation CATO Institute Pioneer Institute Utah Eagle Forum Joyce & Dick Kinmont Family LDS Home Educators Assn. American Leadership Fund Standard of Liberty Proper Role of Government United Women’s Forum Principled Liberty Foundation Citizens for Strong Families Freedom for Utah Education Thomas Jefferson Center for Constitutional Studies Senator Michael […]