Are You OK With That? Question #2 - Common Core

Being a Christian in a non-Christian institution is just the tip of the iceberg of problems that families face when it comes to public schools. Common Core, standardized testing, worksheets, political agendas - these all play into the lives of the children in public schools as well. (And, I haven't even touched on a whole host of other issues that face our children as they get older such as teen pregnancy, sex, drugs, peer pressure, etc.)

But, I digress. Today's "Are You OK With That?" question is about Common Core.

What is Common Core? According to her book, They're Your Kids, Mrs. Sam Sorbo defines it this way: "Common Core is the name of the new standard, and although proponents insist it is not a curriculum, it imposes conformity on curricula while promising improved learning and more standardized materials."

Mrs. Sam Sorbo also goes on to relate some interesting facts about Common Core:

• It was primarily designed by non-educators.
• It's the biggest overhaul of the education system ever.
• Forty-five states adopted it before it was written because of the money promised by the federal Race to the Top funding program. The standards were not tested first because it was adopted before they were even written.
  
  Would you pay a contractor before he completes the work you've hired him to do? What about paying him before he even submits a bid? That's just nonsense.
• Common Core also involves changing the way in which topics are taught.
  
  Mrs. Sorbo goes on to share in her book that, "Common Core insists on teaching young children very complicated ways to solve multiplication problems that older generations performed with the simpler standard algorithm." My friend shared her son's math paper on Facebook asking for someone to help her figure out the problems. I wish I could say that I was able to help her but I couldn't figure it out myself.
• With Common Core's expected level of standardization, students who move from one community to another may expect the same education - the same subjects, covering the same materials, taught the same way. 
  
  Is all this "sameness" a good thing? Just think about it. Do all kids learn at the same rate at the same time in the same way? I should think not.

Follow the Money Trail:

I recently read an article titled "When Education is All About the Money, Not the Kids" and it confirmed for me that Common Core is all about corporations making money. Follow the money trail and you'll find the real reason behind why states adopted this program before it was even published. The states were not only promised federal money (aka our tax dollars), the corporations selling the materials were making tons of money - a "$9 billion dollar revenue stream" according to the article. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was one of Common Core's key financier. They have "millions of dollars at stake in Common Core testing technology and computers".

The article also mentioned an undercover video where journalist James O'Keefe interviews a prominent publishing executive from Houghton-Mifflin who claims to "hate kids" and declaring that Common Core to be a moneymaking scheme.

This is the actual video that was published in January 2016:

James O'Keefe was also interviewed on the Alex Jones Channel. He brings up very points that all of us, as parents, need to be aware of.

I bring up these "Are You OK with That?" questions simply because families need to be informed. I know they are hard to answer because I really struggled with all these issues when we decided to take my own children out of public schools. Answering these questions may also leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure about what your choices are when it comes to your children's education. 

What Can YOU Do?
That's where I come in! You have MANY choices and you can find support, direction and encouragement throughout your education journey (it's not only your child's journey, it's yours as the parent, as well and that's exciting!).

I've begun the "Database of Resources" section of my blog to help you get started. Think outside the box a bit and realize that learning doesn't always happen 8 am until 3 pm Monday through Friday. I know of one homeschooling family whose children stay with a friend during the day since both parents work and then they school in the evening. I've also met a single mom who works from home and is homeschooling her 4 boys. There are many Christian private university model schools where the children attend two or three days a week and then they complete the work at home with the parent, friend or family member.

It's not so much what you know. It's what you're willing to do on behalf of your child. 

• Be informed.
• Research your educational options and choices.
• Be open to new ways of thinking about learning. 
• Choose a better education for your children (whether that be home school, private school, university model schools, and everything in between!)
• You can do it!

If you'd like to know more about Common Core and what you can do to stop it, read more on the Home School Legal Defense website here.

Your desire for change must be greater than your desire to stay the same. ~Unknown

Happy Homeschooling,
-Christi