Time is of the essence right now in Michigan. The Michigan State Legislature is very close to defunding the Common Core Standards, but we need your help!
As you know, the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCS) is a big government, top-down approach to education that sacrifices individualism for the sake of the collective and puts the futures of our children in the hands of Washington bureaucrats through the nationalization of education.
This federal overreach takes power away from local school boards by giving them zero control of content. Costs are estimated to be $16 billion with 90% paid by the states who have no say in what is being taught! Additionally, there is a data-tracking requirement from K through Career that is an intrusive violation of the privacy rights of our children and their parents.
The Standards unquestionably “dumb-down” our children, as shown by performance scores that have steadily deteriorated since the inception of the Department of Education. In fact, the standards are so low that two Ph.D.s serving on the CCS validation committee (Dr. Sandra Stotsky and Dr. James Milgram) refused to sign off on the standards. You can read more about this issue in this Phyllis Schlafly column.
Fortunately for Michigan students, there is currently language in the Michigan Department of Education budget that firmly prohibits funding for the implementation of the Common Core Standards (including SMARTER Balanced testing). Today, this language was approved by the Conference Committee and then passed by the State House.
The State Senate will be voting on the budget soon, and we must make sure they pass it and the Governor signs it!
Governor Snyder has indicated, in an appearance with Obama’s Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, that he supports the Standards. Please put pressure on him to sign the Department of Education budget that defunds implementation of the CCS.
Take Action!
Please call your State Senator and use this e-mail tool and talking points to send a message urging passage of the bill.
Then, please call Governor Snyder urging his signature. (517) 373-3400
Resources:
- Backlash Against Common Core
- Articles from the American Principles Project
- RNC Resolution Against Common Core (for GOP only)
Please Defund Common Core in Michigan!
Please pass the Department of Education budget that defunds the Common Core Standards because this big-government, top-down approach to education is not good for students and the future of Michigan.
With the costs to implement and meet the standards totaling around $16 billion, states will be expected to foot about 90% of that bill. Michigan cannot afford the Common Core!
We know that Michigan cannot depend on the federal government to look out for the best interests of our children, so please defend Michigan children by defunding the Common Core Standards.
The bill does not change local school budgets nor does it force any school to stop using Common Core. Please allow teachers to teach children in the best way possible by voting for this bill that will remove the state mandate and burdensome tests instituted by Common Core.