tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.comments2023-09-18T03:23:25.564-04:00Common Core in ConnecticutLove 2Bshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515435420359722580noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-61622722603147638052015-12-07T16:04:15.297-05:002015-12-07T16:04:15.297-05:00I'm curious to see if you ever got a response!...I'm curious to see if you ever got a response! I know this is an older blog post, but I've just come across it. Thanks!Concerned momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17964106539492542305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-34822898294436867872015-09-10T06:09:49.823-04:002015-09-10T06:09:49.823-04:00Such an interesting article, thanks for sharing yo...Such an interesting article, thanks for sharing your blog. I've recently discovered <a href="http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/fundraising/news/content/18668/listen_pledges_45k_to_emergency_appeal_to_save_the_damilola_taylor_trust" rel="nofollow">listen ltd fundraising</a> agency, you should check them out.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00749806048126396306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-66954138077491422242015-04-08T14:12:27.625-04:002015-04-08T14:12:27.625-04:00Coleman forgot to finish his sentence. "level...Coleman forgot to finish his sentence. "level ground for ......financially disadvantaged." Let's see David Coleman offer AP exams for free for ALL students to have a level ground.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-44251946811855936362015-01-19T09:53:09.197-05:002015-01-19T09:53:09.197-05:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-2316367143069845912014-12-21T09:47:43.581-05:002014-12-21T09:47:43.581-05:00Thanks for your thought provoking comments, Paul. ...Thanks for your thought provoking comments, Paul. <br /><br />I have to agree with that first paragraph. It speaks directly to why I homeschooled my kids for so long, and why I continue to closely monitor what they are learning in their Social Studies/History classes. Just recently my high school senior has brought the conversation about vaccinations to our dinner table straight from his Current Issues class. It's really unfortunate that these conversations are not happening within more families; too many people are letting our government dictate what their kids think about social issues without even realize it's happening.<br /><br />And I agree that no one learns history by memorizing facts, which is why I think it's such a waste of valuable time for my 8th grader to be memorizing the constitution :-/ But I do think that reading it and understanding it is required before being able to interpret it; something that too many of our politicians have not managed to do. <br /><br />Finally, your point to "other districts" is well taken. You've reminded me that what my friends were learning in public school as I attended parochial in NYC was not the same, and that the education I've worked to provide my kids with here in Connecticut is likely very different than what and how others are being taught throughout the state. So I can see how reaching for those critical thinking skills wherever one can get them might make AP History a necessary evil.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-75105303259657691782014-12-18T23:30:36.259-05:002014-12-18T23:30:36.259-05:00Having a fact based US history classes for the pas...Having a fact based US history classes for the past 100+ years has given us the common core. It produced the writers, but more importantly it produced nearly an entire population which just sat back and let it in the front door. There is nothing else in the entire world that screams for more inquiry based classrooms than the continued silence of America during the ccss roll out.<br /><br />No one learns US history by memorizing facts...if they did, everyone could tell you how many members there are in the House of Representatives. <br /><br />There is just too much research out there to show that shows that project/problem/inquiry based learning results in kids who remember more facts. <br /><br />AP history is a tricky one...in your school system I would not probably suggest taking it. In other districts it assure a student a class in which they will be pushed by the teacher, but also maybe for the first time they will be surrounded by positive peers. But then of course you are supporting the college boards infiltration of our schools :)paul bogushhttp://paulbogush.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-82380995822979770692014-10-21T10:29:23.821-04:002014-10-21T10:29:23.821-04:00I 100% agree that " its easier to accomplish ...I 100% agree that " its easier to accomplish a daunting task when we as individuals set aside our differences and work together". But Thomas More will not set aside their differences; their religion is too integral to who they are, and they are therefore incapable of it.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-79391888672112447762014-10-21T10:24:03.457-04:002014-10-21T10:24:03.457-04:00They are not irrelevant because they are Christian...They are not irrelevant because they are Christian, they are irrelevant because "they do not contribute to the conversation regarding Common Core in Connecticut". <br /><br />And I'm clearly not attempting to hide my issues with ministries; I'm glad you caught that.<br /><br />In my ten years as a homeschooler, I met MANY people who are Christian. I found most of them lovely people and at one point even tried to participate in one of their support groups. However, through my experiences I have gained the understanding that they have a fundamental inability to separate anything they do from their belief that they are their god's servants; EVERYTHING they do comes from a perspective of trying to serve him, spread his word, and bring him more followers.<br /><br />Finally, I disagree that I "only want someone on [my] side who fights from the politically-correct perspective". If lawyers from NORML proved themselves relevant to CC in CT I would be willing to accept that help, because they are not a ministry and therefore can likely leave the NORML fight behind when they are dealing with a different one. However, with Thomas More, they clearly state that "The Law Center... defends and PROMOTES FAITH" specifically using the word "ministry". Therefore even without my considerable experiences with Christians, one can safely deduce that their religion is an INTEGRAL part of Thomas More's perspective; one that will not be put aside to help those with a more secular viewpoint.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-85024768389735029642014-10-21T09:49:34.433-04:002014-10-21T09:49:34.433-04:00I've always believed that its easier to accomp...I've always believed that its easier to accomplish a daunting task when we as individuals set aside our differences and work together rather than toil in the slippery mud alone. <br />I'm sure the people at Thomas More don't ask what your religion is, they just ask how they can help. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-55463237236005342552014-10-21T08:50:10.819-04:002014-10-21T08:50:10.819-04:00Interesting that you would call a Christian group ...Interesting that you would call a Christian group irrelevant. So what if they are fighting this from a Judeo-Christian perspective? Common Core is a wholly un-American initiative and at odds with the founding of our nation. It seems as if you only want someone on your side who fights from the politically-correct perspective. Your issues with faith/ministry/Christianity are hard to hide. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-26097228344988741162014-10-20T16:29:16.581-04:002014-10-20T16:29:16.581-04:00This post slams the door on an entire faith of peo...This post slams the door on an entire faith of people. So few organizations work to fight Common Core, I embrace those that do even if some of their beliefs are not my own. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-23080350410352230832014-10-20T13:49:38.654-04:002014-10-20T13:49:38.654-04:00In my experience, Christian organizations do not t...In my experience, Christian organizations do not take concerns with their Christian perspective under advisement. As for the rest, I have no interest in communicating with them, or I certainly would have. They do not contribute to the conversation regarding Common Core in Connecticut, so to me, they are irrelevant and not worth my time to dialog with.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-35043944486521081132014-10-20T09:33:41.006-04:002014-10-20T09:33:41.006-04:00I believe that it mentions on the Thomas More web ...I believe that it mentions on the Thomas More web page that if you have concerns or additional resources that you should contact one of their representatives. I'm sure that they would be more than willing to listen to your concerns and take them under advisement. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-88223111479532637232014-05-27T14:03:57.347-04:002014-05-27T14:03:57.347-04:00The National PTA has received money to promote Com...The National PTA has received money to promote Common Core. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/Quick-Links/Grants-Database/Grants/2013/05/OPP1082255 <br /><br />If the school is a member of the State/National PTA then they have to tow the line, and can't have anyone badmouthing CC on their forums.<br /><br />My suggestion is to contact your townwide PTA in writing, to ask them to step in. Ask them outright why you were not allowed to talk about CC on the school PTA FB page, and how, if you are a dues-paying member, they can just throw you off the page without any explanation. Then ask them what you have to do to get back on that page. (If that's what you want to happen.) <br /><br />If that doesn't work, then you should probably get in touch with State then National.<br /><br />HTH.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-52964931180598562872014-05-27T10:26:02.617-04:002014-05-27T10:26:02.617-04:00I was kicked out of John B. Sliney PTA for posting...I was kicked out of John B. Sliney PTA for posting CC articles. I can no longer see the their FB page. I paid my dues, and did participate in Market Math at the local Big Y. What are the by laws, and why can't I share articles regarding C.C,?<br />JoAnn Leavittnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-72396900207491223042014-04-09T09:08:29.110-04:002014-04-09T09:08:29.110-04:00Thank you for the time you have taken to compile a...Thank you for the time you have taken to compile and explain the information. Please note that this is a House Bill and has been scheduled for the House calender. If people want to contact their legislator, I recommend they contact their House Representative. They can search the CBIA website by town for their Representative: http://gov.cbia.com/legsearch/page/ct_general_assembly_by_townAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-34974413516776264382014-03-31T10:35:19.515-04:002014-03-31T10:35:19.515-04:00As I am reading more and more from CEA I am more a...As I am reading more and more from CEA I am more and more inclined to agree with you, Paul. CEA doesn't want to stop CC they simply want to slow it down. A new post about them is due, I think.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-29983954845309323622014-03-28T07:00:14.197-04:002014-03-28T07:00:14.197-04:00I do not consider them an ally...even at a teacher...I do not consider them an ally...even at a teacher event on common core they had a HUGE pro ccss speakers. They have problems with the roll-out, not the ccss. They still have no better ideas...and that is the big problem. What is ccss replacing? Traditional textbook and wkshts with more textbooks and worksheets. I wish the CEA would actually make a pedagogical stand, and not one that boils down to "it's too hard for teachers." No time to go through the five points above in your post, but they are coded lines that will make no real difference in the classroom.Paul Bogushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14806034438548226901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-58265364723758591032014-03-20T07:34:58.153-04:002014-03-20T07:34:58.153-04:00Actually, it's *not* that simple. If it were, ...Actually, it's *not* that simple. If it were, they would be home.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-52468766967711994502014-03-17T21:00:09.094-04:002014-03-17T21:00:09.094-04:00Great break down on 'opting out'. Thanks ...Great break down on 'opting out'. Thanks for sharing your experience. Tricianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-71432654478337850552014-03-16T08:37:17.402-04:002014-03-16T08:37:17.402-04:00"And it was with a very heavy heart that I sa..."And it was with a very heavy heart that I saw them get absorbed into the mainstream mind-controlled culture that school is." So pull them out. It is that simple. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-77055680012509441392014-03-03T23:16:32.415-05:002014-03-03T23:16:32.415-05:00It's highly unlikely that the Parent Night wil...It's highly unlikely that the Parent Night will be informative. And it's highly unlikely that they will say anything about opting out. But if they do, they will only say that you can't.<br /><br />The awesome part is that you can use this opportunity to formulate a question or two that will really put them in the hot seat!Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-45980752737759512372014-03-03T18:14:21.677-05:002014-03-03T18:14:21.677-05:00Hello Kevin,
I appreciate thoughtful discourse, b...Hello Kevin,<br /><br />I appreciate thoughtful discourse, but want to comment on a couple of statements you made in your comment. The first is that "we are not likely to find out whose "right" for a while". This assumes that case-law sets the standard for right and wrong in this country and since John Marshall, that has unfortunately all too often been the case. What's "right" lies with individual liberties, versus an opinion that government knows what's best for the individual. If we lose the fight on this one point, we've lost it all.<br /><br />The second is the idea that school districts will pay in the form of cuts to funding by the State and Federal Governments. I too have children in Public Education, but are we better to fool ourselves into thinking these governments are benevolent, when in fact they take our tax-dollars and then hold it over our heads with mandates that we the people may not agree with? Should such a thing happen, then the towns should do what we do in households and pay for the things that the town can afford and nothing more - including mandates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-26086310853717284572014-03-03T14:50:12.033-05:002014-03-03T14:50:12.033-05:00Well, I don't know how informative this planne...Well, I don't know how informative this planned Parent Night will be. I know it's supposed to be about the SmarterBalanced Assessment. But, I don't know whether the school or district will have any information for parents regarding opting out. I also don't know how many other parents in our school (if any) have concerns about these assessments and Common Core. Maybe I'll find out at this upcoming meeting! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5152219769773656317.post-29507941081829698802014-03-03T10:21:33.339-05:002014-03-03T10:21:33.339-05:00A Parent Night being planned to share information ...A Parent Night being planned to share information with parents? That is AWESOME! Any chance you are willing to share what town?<br /><br />Here in Cheshire my high school junior's school sent a notice home with exact times for exams, with revised bus schedules and so on, but I have not received exact dates for the middle school yet, beyond this generic letter https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9LPSNhbb5uQR1NBdU9xSF9KeEU/edit?usp=sharing telling us that "The assessments will require 7-8 hours of student time... The assessment will be administered over multiple days, with no student participating in more than two 45 minute testing sessions per day." My middle schooler is already opted out though, so I haven't concerned myself with the actual dates.Mom in Cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435229245724858700noreply@blogger.com