Governor Fallin faces a tough decision that’s likely to haunt her no matter which way she goes: http://newsok.com/gov.-mary-fallin-weighs-decision-on-scrapping-common-core-academic-standards/article/4869894
Governor Fallin faces a tough decision that’s likely to haunt her no matter which way she goes: http://newsok.com/gov.-mary-fallin-weighs-decision-on-scrapping-common-core-academic-standards/article/4869894
Wooly-boogers hidden in HB3399:
1. Repeals Common Core from state law, creating a framework for standards to be written by Oklahomans over a two year time period.
How will repealing Common Core create a ‘framework’? What is the ‘framework’?
2. Directs a return to the state’s previous standards and tests during the interim.
Does this negate the recently passed, vetoed, and then overridden HB 2625, which allows parents to determine the pass/fail status of a student?
3. Requires the “mastery of the “standard algorithms in math” – the “most logical, efficient way of solving a problem that consistently works”, in attempt to curb the concept of ‘fuzzy math’.
Is the ‘fuzzy math’ as fuzzy as this sentence?
4. Requires Oklahoma’s new standards be compared against the Common Core State Standards to ensure they are NOT in alignment.
So, even if there are some actual beneficial parts of Common Core, they are to be excluded from the new standards? Sounds like a little paranoia here.
5. Provides legislative review and approval of finalized standards as created through the State Board of Education.
I thought the teachers were supposed to be in control – not the politicians. Does this open the door of more religion-based teaching?
6. Prohibits the state Board of Education from entering into any agreements that would in any way cede control or authority of Oklahoma standards or tests.
What is there to prevent the legislature from doing the same thing it did with Common Core?
7. Directs standards and tests to be developmentally appropriate.
They can’t agree on anything regarding tests now. Will this fiat cause a miracle to occur?
8. Creates a paper and pencil test option in the event online testing creates issues for students.
Are the on-line questions harder than the paper ones?
This is not just about repealing Common Core. This is a bad law.
Obviously, I am extremely skeptical of education policies being determined by political lawmakers with personal agendas and very little understanding of the subject. Let the pros do the job they are paid to do.