DES MOINES – The Iowa Republican Party reported Monday that over the weekend at its quarterly meeting, it had voted to reject the Common core State Standards for education in Iowa.
On the state’s education website, the Common Core State Standards claims to be a “well-researched set of standards in literacy and mathematics and essential concepts and skills in science, social studies, and 21st century learning.”
The resolution reads:
WHEREAS, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of academic standards, promoted and supported by two private membership organizations, the National Governor’s Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) as a method for conforming American students to uniform (“one size fits all”) achievement goals to make them more competitive in a global marketplace, (1.) and
WHEREAS, the NGA and the CCSSO, received tens of millions of dollars from private third parties to advocate for and develop the CCSS strategy, subsequently created the CCSS through a process that was not subject to any freedom of information acts or other sunshine laws, and never piloted the CCSS, and
WHEREAS, even though Federal Law prohibits the federalizing of curriculum (2.), the Obama Administration accepted the CCSS plan and used 2009 Stimulus Bill money to reward the states that were most committed to the president’s CCSS agenda; but, they failed to give states, their legislatures and their citizens time to evaluate the CCSS before having to commit to them, and
WHEREAS, the NGA and CCSSO in concert with the same corporations developing the CCSS ‘assessments’ have created new textbooks, digital media and other teaching materials aligned to the standards which must be purchased and adopted by local school districts in order that students may effectively compete on CCSS ‘assessments’, and
WHEREAS, the CCSS program includes federally funded testing and the collection and sharing of massive amounts of personal student and teacher data, and
WHEREAS, the CCSS effectively removes educational choice and competition since all schools and all districts must use Common Core ‘assessments’ based on the Common Core standards to allow all students to advance in the school system and to advance to higher education pursuits, and
WHEREAS, the Iowa State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards on July 29, 2010 without legislative feedback and very little public input; therefore be it
RESOLVED, the Republican Party of Iowa, as stated in the 2012 Republican Party Platform, demands “that education be returned to a purely free market system.” (sec. 6., which we hold to be the best approach to education for students to achieve individual excellence; and, be it further
RESOLVED, the Republican Party of Iowa appreciates Governor Terry Branstad’s action to address concerns about the Common Core State Standards through an executive order made on October 16, 2013, but feel the standards must be addressed through legislative action, and be it further
RESOLVED, the Republican Party of Iowa recognizes the CCSS for what it is– an inappropriate overreach to standardize and control the education of our children so they will conform to a preconceived “normal,” and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Republican Party of Iowa rejects the collection of personal student data for any non-educational purpose without the prior written consent of an adult student or a child student’s parent and that it rejects the sharing of such personal data, without the prior written consent of an adult student or a child student’s parent, with any person or entity other than schools or education agencies within the state, and be it finally
RESOLVED, the 2012 Republican Party Platform states, “We believe that control of education should be left to the parents, teachers, and local school boards” (sec. 6.2); and therefore, the Republican Party of Iowa rejects this CCSS plan. Furthermore, we call on Republican legislators and executives to oppose implementation of the CCSS plan, which limits the academic freedom and achievement of Iowa’s teachers, students, and schools.
Hooray for the Republican’s. Finally someone is standing up to the BRAINWASHING that is going on in our Government Schools.
If you take the time to read what Common Core is and what it stands for you will find a group that is Communist and wants to turn our children into Socialists.
When you get right down to it, there is no need for all these so called “educational reforms”.
Ha Ha Ha. You are really funny Watchdog. I am against Common Core and actually agree with some of what the Republicans see as problems with the Core.
Common Core is a money-generating project for the people who are writing those books and lessons that are required for the program. And, although they asked teachers for their input, they rejected all the ideas the teachers presented and went ahead with their original plans.
What I find funny is that a conservative such as yourself finds this tampering reprehensible when, if it were funded by the Koch boys, you would find that magnificent. I also think your statement that there is no need for education reforms short-sighted. Our system does need to be reformed. It needs to be re-thought, re-organized, and repaired. We need to provide quality education to all students and get back to looking at how we can best serve those students in our present system.
@bodacious,
What ever are you smoking? Our educational system was reformed, many years ago. Unfortunately it was not for the better. So, I will agree, to that end it does need some reforms. Back to the basics without all the political correct crap would be a good start.
Back in the 80’s Self-Esteem building was the call of the day. Well, we sure built up the kids esteem for sure. We now have a whole generation of narcissists. Self-centered, me first, and no humility generation that wants, wants, want.
This latest Common Core BS is just more of the same. I don’t know who the Koch brothers are but if you are suggesting I would support some hair brained scheme by them you are most awfully wrong.
What I find strange here is, you and I are the only one that has taken an interest to speak out about the Common Core BS.
@watchdog-No need for me to comment. You have said it all. Common Core is nothing more than more political B.S. and a attempt to brainwash the kids again. Go back to basics and what is needed and let the parents raise the kids if they remember how.