Currently our school system is in the
process of a massive overhaul. This year, North Carolina and many
other states are implementing the Common Core Curriculum. North
Carolina bought (or to state more accurately, was bought) into these
national standards for education.
Little as parents are aware of the extent to which this will alter the educational experiences of their children, you might construe that it was carried out undercover, and intentionally that way. Deep pocketed proponents have been so efficient in this process that perception even among the most educated is that it is a done deal, and that there is no turning back.
However, although many seem to have
forgotten, ours is a democratic government. If we don't agree with
something, and especially something as personal as how our children
are being educated, we do have the right to speak out. I'm writing
this to encourage you to do just that.
May we as a people not be lulled into complacency when it comes to things that really matter. May we not allow busyness to distract us from keeping the main thing the main thing. I encourage you parents, as you and your children experience the fall-out of these drastic changes, to not keep quiet. Speak to or write letters to the members of our Board of Education, write letters to our Senators and representatives, research and share information on social networks, and advocate for your children through every other avenue that you can find.
May we as a people not be lulled into complacency when it comes to things that really matter. May we not allow busyness to distract us from keeping the main thing the main thing. I encourage you parents, as you and your children experience the fall-out of these drastic changes, to not keep quiet. Speak to or write letters to the members of our Board of Education, write letters to our Senators and representatives, research and share information on social networks, and advocate for your children through every other avenue that you can find.
Most of all, when your children, even
your Kindergarten children, bring home papers that even you can't
decipher, do not blame them. Do not push them to try harder when you
know they are already doing their best. Encourage them. Take stock of
their strengths and build upon those areas. Let them know that you
love them unconditionally, and that a test cannot BEGIN to define
them or their value in any way, shape, or form.
Ask yourself whether or not what is being taught is worth knowing. The true goal of education is not to achieve a desired letter grade or numerical score. A time will come when all of that will be unconsequential. If all that is gained is a long list of competencies that look good in a database but are in no way applicable to the real life aspirations of our children, then sadly we will look back and see that it was all just a big waste of time.
Ask yourself whether or not what is being taught is worth knowing. The true goal of education is not to achieve a desired letter grade or numerical score. A time will come when all of that will be unconsequential. If all that is gained is a long list of competencies that look good in a database but are in no way applicable to the real life aspirations of our children, then sadly we will look back and see that it was all just a big waste of time.
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