Common Core Issue #1 In Many States

Across the country there is hope that parents and children can regain their sanity as parents across America get ready for elections.  But it has to start with knowing who the people are behind the invalid, untested Common Core Standards Initiative.  Parents are seeing through the speeches that even though Superintendents say we don't have Common Core, the truth is here and yes, we adopted it and are bound to it according the NCLB Waiver Application.

There is a Great Awakening and here's why...

The pain and torture of this past year and from what one Mom has said "School has been tormenting for the past month.  Who am I kidding--all year!" It has made a recipe of angry parents and grandparents who have helplessly watched their child's world (and theirs) get turned upside down and they are ready for change.

From the crazy math

, to the English with highly charged negative words, more parents

get it that education today is no longer about academics--see these pictures of an approved Social Studies Supplement that is coming next year (Ex. in Alabama even though State Board of Ed was asked to not approve all--the majority members did --disapproval coming from Betty Peters and Stephanie Bell).

On the example of one very large state where students and their families are guinea pigs read these excerpts:

What exactly is “education?” --for most parents, something very traditional: the three Rs, standardized test performance, college entrance, and teachers happy to teach students eager to learn.  Parents see education as highly individualistic because they understand that at SAT time and ACT time, that child will be required to expound upon the knowledge that he or she has internalized. However, when progressive, socialist constructivist educators speak of “education,” they are not defining their terms. To them, education means something more of a great social experiment where children form opinions about issues in groups, building their ideas as a group. They may not be as concerned about individual factual knowledge as they are about how well children do in groups, how many questions they ask, and how they behave within that group setting.

With all of this in mind, we must be very careful to force pedagogical proponents and experimenters to define their terms, to clarify what “this” or “that” means to them. Parents should remember that, ultimately, they are footing the bill for the education of students and it is THEIR idea of education that must be met. Not the grandiose social experimental musings of ideologues who believe that they know what is best for other peoples’ children.

See these links on the Common Core movers and shakers:

• Bill Gates--Since January 2008, more than 250 Gates grants have targeted causes such as charter schools, testing research, data systems, science and math education and common academic standards. “In total, the four organizations primarily responsible for CCSS – NGA, CCSSO, Achieve, and Student Achievement Partners – have taken $147.9 million from Bill Gates,” Schneider concludes. “Common Core Gates Standards.”  All for big profits of course...

• Lou Gerstner--He says, "We need more time on task, we need a longer school day, we need a longer school year, and we need accountability and measurement in the system so we can constantly adjust what’s going on....convene the 50 governors, and the first thing they do is they abolish the 16,000 school districts we have in the United States. Sixteen thousand school districts are what we’re trying to cram this reform through."

• Kevin Jennings--Plans that Common Core "start" with academics but will eventually encompass "school climate" standards.
• David Coleman--likes partnering with the Obama Administration’s campaign data team members to use techniques on data collection and use of data on your students.

• Obama Administration--Arne Duncan's speech excerpts: "I want to talk about the Race to the Top fund. I explained that the Recovery Act provides $5 billion dollars in discretionary funding.

  After the set-asides for the Innovation and What Works fund and the money for the new assessments, we will have $4 billion dollars for states to drive education reform.This is your opportunity to be bold, creative, think big and push hard on the kind of reforms that we know will create fundamental change.  But this money will only go to states that are absolutely pushing reform in real and measurable ways..

• Bill Ayres (former terrorist) and Linda Darling Hammond-Obama Connection:
  

  "It is shocking that Obama Education Department officials would appear at a conference that also featured someone like Ayers. On the other hand, their boss, President Obama, worked with Ayers in Chicago, and this kind of collaboration is not entirely surprising. We are left, however, wondering about the precise nature of the role that Ayers is playing in the development of this federal education plan."  You see the fruits of their handiwork in Texas CSCOPE.
  
• Pearson--Paving the wayf for profit...“They want to offer products and services in all areas of school practice: assessment, pedagogy, curriculum and management, and they want to create the possibility for that through policy work. They want to have indirect influence in policy to create opportunities for business expansion. It’s a very well thought-out business strategy.”  Their method in Great Britain--"In many ways the strategy for promoting academies in Great Britain is similar to the strategy for promoting charter schools in the United States. Working class and poor families are told the academies are a solution to educational inequality. The academies are also exempt from following national curriculum and are not answerable to local governments. According to one British commentator who has carefully documented the history of the academies, “When threats don’t work, the department resorts to bribery. Schools receive up to an extra £65,000 or over $100,000 in state funds, if they become academies. As a result, the academies program exceeded its budget by £1 billion ($1.6 billion) from 2010 to 2012."
• State Superintendents and Key Elected Officials devising new bills such as the "Systems of Reduction" where there is a shift from using seniority as major factor in teachers retained.  I say teachers please wake up..
• Alabama Example:  “This plan supports Dr. Bice’s plan 2020.”  Dr. Joe Morton representing the Business and Education Alliance spoke for the bill SB 353, sponsored by Senator Pro Tem Del Marsh (R) from Anniston, Alabama in past session.   Morton said the state needs to develop a plan to retain the best teachers.  Morton said this is a major shift, in that the seniority of a person can not be a major factor in why they are retained during a Reduction In Force...Hope we get the right candidates in.  Teachers please look at Dr. Morton's BCA candidates while you still have your job...

More resources for you to know who are also concerned about Common Core and why...

This is an excellent resource to share with those who want to catch up--Common Core 101

In close remember God's Word and his warnings and a story from the past:

 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2Chron 7:14

"It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin."  Luke 17:2

Will Christians heed the cries of the children today and remove the blight called Common Core?? An elderly German man who lived through the Holocaust tells the following story:
I always considered myself a Christian. I attended a church since I was a small boy. We had heard the stories of what was happening to the Jews; but like most people in America today, we tried to distance ourselves from the reality of what was really taking place. What could anyone do to stop it?
A railroad track ran behind our small church, and each Sunday morning we would hear the whistle from a distance and then the clacking of the wheels moving over the track. We became disturbed when one Sunday we heard cries coming from the train as it passed by. We grimly realized that the train was carrying Jews.
Week after week that train whistle would blow. We would dread to hear the sound of those old wheels because we knew that the Jews would begin to cry out to us as they passed our church. It was so terribly disturbing! We could do nothing to help these poor people, yet their screams tormented us. We knew exactly at what time that whistle would blow, and we decided the only way to keep from being so disturbed by the cries was to start singing our hymns. If some of the screams reached our ears, we'd just sing a little louder until we could hear them no more.
Years have passed, and no one talks about it much any more; but I still hear that train whistle in my sleep. I can still hear them crying out for help. God forgive all of us who called ourselves Christians, yet did nothing to intervene.

Here's Common Core Tool box of resources you may find useful:

• Common Core and Effects On Mental Health (2)
• Common Core CD (1)
• Flyers (1)
• Forms (1)
• Petition (1)
• Sharing Common Core With Pastor (1)
• Sharing Truths On Common Core With Local School Boards (1)
• Who Are Against Common Core (1)

Election Will Determine Your Child's Future--Human Capital and Assessing For Compliance? Who To Vote For--"By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them"--Matthew 7:20

Here's food for thought from a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.-"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

The sad thing is that most voters do not realize that in this year's election if they do not stop to help the least of us (the children that is in the middle of a "mind war" in schools), what will happen will indeed affect all of US.

You see the Common Core Standards are so bad that Professors Sandra Stosky and Jim Milgram (who were asked by developers of Common Core to head Validation Committee) refused to validate it.

However,  the most troubling aspect of these invalid standards are pointed out by Anita Hogue in this incredible interview with Charlotte Iserbyt.  A must hear for everyone concerned with this issue.  Anita Hogue won a case using the PPRA (Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment).

Here are some points in this eye-opening interview along with key terms:

Assessment is the "value" of property.  Children are now referred to as " human capital" (or Products as referred to by Billy Canary  of BCA).  Assessment is the value of our children the human capital.

Total Quality Management is Quality Control to make sure there is compliance of each individual system (just like the Obamacare individual mandate).

• individual child
  

• individual teacher
  

• individual principal
  

• individual school
  

• individual school district
  

• individual state 

All systems must be  geared toward compliance!

Assessing or testing and re-testing is necessary to determine compliance!

Remember the Recovery Act- 4.35 billion poured into education. Eash state pressured to do a longitudinal system where every aspect  of education was put on computer.  RTT grants had little "compliance requirements."

The "Crosswalk"- a software that is used to take what your doing in local district and crosses over and links to the national system was developed.

Total Quality Management--a system called feed back "loop" control.

• Key is collection on local level, that's your testing your assessment . It all begins there-locally. You have  to collect information on the individual

• You're going to score the info on whatever the government wants (hmm--global warming, sex ed etc. etc.), then you analyze it.
• Then you target for interventions. 
• Then you analyze it again
• And starts again then you do a re-testing,

That's why its called the "loop", continual evaluation testing, to meet the stardards.

Most importan thing that happened is the Common Core Standards.  It's most important reasoning is to standardize your child (make compliant/conform).

This is a powershift away from local control- a power shift  from Competency Based Education To Outcome Based Education (OBE)To Federal Level!

Common Core is creating 1.National Curriculum 2.  National Test.

Obama instituted by fiat the NCLB waivers with a big push to force teachers to teach Common core.

Teachers are to now be evaluated on how their students are doing on tests.  Teachers no longer have control of their classrom as they now must comply with system.  Children are being tortured by testing and re-testing--it is mastery learning, conditioning the children.  Children are stressed  and not wanting to be drilled anymore. 

Very unnatural defies difference in people.  Forces everyone to be average.

Used in continual testing feedback loop control.

We have already seen Socialism at work in our healthcare...is it too far-fetched to think it's not going on in education?  Wake-up America before it's too late and your children will have no choice but to conform. 

The upcoming elections starting with the Primaries are key if you want to regain control!

So how do you determine who to vote for?

1.  First pray for wisdom from God

2.  Study the Superintendent of Education and see who are his allies and what decisions he had made on Common Core. 

3.  Study the candidates.  In Alabama, the Congressional candidates have had almost three years to get rid of Common Core.  Why didn't they?  Study who controlled your candidate.  What are the chances that candidate will do something different this time around?

4.  Records speak louder.  Please check out who has been exposing Common Core and who has tried to promote it.  Don't rely on savvy media marketing.  There is so much $$$$ behind promoting Common Core that people who will normally do right have turned on this one issue.

5.  Join Stop Common Core group on fb in your state.

6.  Band together in your towns and do sign waves, conferences and  always have copies of information as you can share them at grocery stores, school car lines etc.

7.  Give the issue to prayer groups in your churches and community.  Share and remember read 1Cor2:16... you are able with God's help as nothing is impossible with God.

Petition/Resolution To Remove State Superintendent of Education-Tommy Bice

Resolution And Petition For The Removal of Alabama Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice
Whereas, Alabama Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice has advocated replacing the high and well-proven educational standards of Alabama with the sub-standard experimental national standards of the Obama Administration, which were developed by progressive educational reformers in Achieve, Inc, copyrighted by two Washington,
D.C. based organizations, and are partially funded by the partnership of the Pearson and Gates Foundations, none of which was done within the state of Alabama, and
Whereas, Tommy Bice has repeatedly told the people of Alabama that the College and Career Readiness Standards were constructed and developed by Alabamians when in fact, forty five other states have exactly the same standards, with Alabama having added Alabama specific standards of less than 3% to ELA and less than 15% to Math, and
Whereas, a national standards and assessments system is not permitted under the United States Constitution, and
Whereas, Tommy Bice, as Alabama Superintendent of Education has greatly influenced others within the Alabama Education System to conform to his preference for the mediocre and developmentally inappropriate College and Career Readiness Standards which are not as “rigorous” as Alabama’s own Reading Initiative which sky rocketed Alabama to the most improved scores in the United States of America , and
Whereas, Tommy Bice has misrepresented the longitudinal data base essential to the College and Career Readiness System/ Common Core System, saying that private and personal student and family information will not be shared with federal agencies and private companies when in fact, the system requires it, and,
Whereas, Tommy Bice in 2013, began an unprecedented government intrusion into Christian Schools, Private Schools and Home Schools to regulate and tax them until he was forced to temporarily retreat from it due to the loud and immediate outcry by Alabama citizens to protect their freedom, and
Whereas Tommy Bice has demonstrated disrespect to Alabama parents and the Governor by making it extremely difficult for parents to exercise their authority regarding the ACT Aspire assessments,
BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned hereby petitions the Alabama State Board of Education to immediately remove Tommy Bice from the position of Alabama Superintendent of Education. He has proven untrustworthy to guide the education policies and practices in the great state of Alabama for its’ greatest treasure, Alabama children.

Signature:____________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fax # to Gov. Bentley (334) 353-0004

References:                                                                                                                                 
Mark Bauerlein and Sandra Stotsky. (September 2012) How Common Core’s ELA standards place college readiness at risk. Pioneer Institute White Paper #89.http://pioneerinstitute.org/download/how-common-cores-ela-standards-place-college-readiness-at-risk/
R. James Milgram and Sandra Stotsky (March 2010). Fair to middling” A national standards progress report. Pioneer Institute White Paper #56.http://www.pioneerinstitute.org/pdf/100402         fair to middlingpdf
R. James Milgram and Sandra Stotsky (September 2013) Lowering the Bar: How Common Core Math Fails to Prepare High School Students for STEM, Pioneer Institute White Paper #103.
http://pioneerinstitute.org/news/lowering-the-bar-how-common-core-math-fails-to-prepare-students-for-stem/
http://www.achieve.org/aboutachieve
http://www.ed.gov/race-top/district-competitions/definitions
United States Constitution, Amendment X, The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution ,nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
FERPA Law Changed by Executive Order: President Obama, Secretary Arne Duncan and the U.S. Dept. of Education in December of 2011, amended the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, (FERPA), without congressional approval, and issued new regulations. FERPA Act34 CFR 99. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: A Legal Review, May 1, 2013, Congressional Research Service 7-5700,www.crs.gov

God Bless Alabama's Gov. Bentley For Being The First In The Nation To Say-- No Sit And Stare Policy During Common Core Testings.

God is merciful and heard the many pleas of Alabama's families on their knees in prayer.  Multitudes of heads bowed down in meetings after meetings have resulted in something akin to a miracle.  Governor Robert Bentley has taken a stand for the children of Alabama (please call him and thank him).  Parents can opt their child(ren) out of the assessments and will not have to suffer the sit and stare policies that most state are under. Principals and Superintendents across Alabama are being informed but many have given parents a hard time and there is a Petition (see link here) that is being sent to the Governor..  For other states...write letters to your leaders if denied.  The PPRA is in your student handbooks.  Charlotte Iserbyt cites it as important to use.  Support your Stop Common Core movement in your state by liking them on fb and getting pertinent information (Alabama's is Stop Common Core in Alabama).  And most importantly remember to pray as Ben Franklin cited in his speech in the Continental Congress.."have we forgotten that powerful friend?"  In Alabama, we have not...we acknowledge we have need of him.  To find out why this is important--to these two eye-opening interviews:  One is from Joan Landes--mental health therapist and the other is Anita Hogue who won a case using the PPRA --listen here and   here . 

In Alabama:  here is a sample of our original Opt Out Form which now has additions, that you can change to suit you (copy and paste).  Now that the Governor is behind parents, simpler letters are good.  Please note in many cases parents are turned down initially as schools are not used to this new way of thinking and information has not been shared across the state properly by Ed Dept.  Parents that are denied opt out have to ask the principal to contact Superintendent .  If still turned down then please call Tommy Bice office at 334 242-9704 and also send email to the Education Advisor in Gov Bentley's office get email at (334) 242-7100.  Same thing if there are threats that opting out of tests will affect next years advancement or getting in honors classes etc (one mom was told if kids don't take test, they can't qualify for presidential award next year because scores are factored into the award)--please call Tommy Bice office at 334 242-9704 and at same time email the Education Advisor with information so the Gov. office will see what is happening.  We are hearing from many happy parents.  God is good!

PPRA Notice and Consent/Opt-Out  (Model Notification--print on back)

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, requires[School District]to notify and obtain consent or allow  parents/guardians to opt  child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information surveys”):  1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; 2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; 3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or 8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.  This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”) and physical exams and screenings.

I __________________________________________do not give my consent

for_______________________________
                              (parent)                                    (child)
to participate in any student survey, analysis, class, evaluation or other activity pertaining to any of the above-listed eight categories, and I direct that  said child be excused from any such activities including any of the following testing/assessment:
ACT Explore, ACT Plan, ACT Quality Core End-of-Course Assessments, ACT WorkKeys, ACT Plus Writing Assessment, ACT Aspire, Alabama Science Assessment, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

Also see checked items:
( __) Student should also be opted-out  of preliminary pre-testing associated with the assessments.
(___)Please notify me where my child will go during testing and if he/she will be allowed to read a book etc. (we are told  that there will be no sit and stare policy for children opting out, that they will be allowed other accommodation and will not be punished, investigated or retaliated upon.)
(___)My child will not take the assessments and will be kept at home during testing days.

Thank you for your cooperation.    

                                                                                                
____________________________________________________
Parent’s signature

Please make a copy for parent and place initial of school personnel receiving form here:__________.

Date:__________________________      School Year:____________________       

School Name and Address:        

Opt-Out Form (Copy and Paste and Put In Your Own State's List of Tests -from your State Dept of Ed website)

Please find three version of non-consent to testing/assessments.  These are suggestions after having looked at many opt out or refusal forms.  Please visit this excellent website and determine for yourself what is best for your situation.  NY has been at it a lot longer than most states.  Here are additional link to study about the Hatch Amendment

The first one should have the model notification printed on back and gives you the rights to receive notice and opportunity to opt out (see number 3) and the right to inspect (and not samples).

The second one is a Refusal Letter as many are being told they can not opt out.  In this situation, your child needs to bring one everyday of testing and he/she can not fill in any of the test (just push it aside-don't even put in name).

Third one is for those that wants to just take child out of testing period.

As parent/legal guardian you do have rights.  Please study.  These are just food for thought samples.  We will be praying for you.

 1.

PPRA Notice and Consent/Opt-Out  (Model Notification--print on back)
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, requires[School District]to notify and obtain consent or allow  parents/guardians to opt  child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis, or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information surveys”):  1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; 2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; 3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; 5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; 6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; 7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or 8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.  This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes (“marketing surveys”) and physical exams and screenings.

I __________________________________________do not give my consent

for_______________________________
                              (parent)                                    (child)
to participate in any student survey, analysis, class, evaluation or other activity pertaining to any of the above-listed eight categories, and I direct that  said child be excused from any such activities including any of the following testing/assessment:
ACT Explore, ACT Plan, ACT Quality Core End-of-Course Assessments, ACT WorkKeys, ACT Plus Writing Assessment, ACT Aspire, Alabama Science Assessment, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

( __) Student should also be opted-out  of preliminary pre-testing associated with the assessments.

We are told  that there will be no sit and stare policy for children opting out, that they will be allowed other accommodation and will not be punished, investigated or retaliated upon. 

(___)Please notify me where my child will go during testing and if he will be allowed to read a book etc.

(___)I want my child to not take the assessments and will be keeping child home for that reason during testing.

Thank you for your cooperation.    

                                                                                                
____________________________________________________
Parent’s signature

Please make a copy for parent and place initial of school personnel receiving form here:__________.

Date:_________________________ School Year:____________________       

School Name and Address:        

_______________________________________________________________________________________

(Copy and Paste)

 2.

Refusal Letter

Date______________   Grade_______________

School ___________________________________
 
We are writing today to formally inform you of our decision to refuse to allow
child______________________________, to participate in any standardized assessments imposed on children across the state for the 2013-2014 school year. Our refusal should in no way reflect on the teachers, administration, or school board. This was not an easy decision for us, but we feel that we have no other choice. We simply see these tests as harmful, expensive, and a waste of time and valuable resources. Our child will not participate in any assessments other than those solely used for diagnostic purposes for the individual classroom teachers.
 
 ________________________will not participate in the following:  Any benchmark exams / pre–assessments / standardized assessments, any surveys, or “field tests” given by corporate or government entities or testing companies,  any  assessment used to evaluate teacher, including any of these (as pertain to his/her grade level):  ACT Explore, ACT Plan, ACT Quality Core End-of-Course Assessments, ACT WorkKeys, ACT Plus Writing Assessment, ACT Aspire, Alabama Science Assessment, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

We anticipate that ______________ will be treated fairly during assessment periods, as this was not his decision, but ours, as his parents.  We hope that you will allow my child to read silently during assessment periods.  If not, please let me know what you will allow my child to do.

Just to be clear, ______________________________(school district) does not have permission to administer any state or district mandated standardized benchmark assessments to my child ________________________.http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title20/html/USCODE-2011-title20-chap48-subchapI.htm

 
Signature of Parent/Guardian_____________________________________________

School office-please initial receipt here____________and make a copy for parent.  Thank you.


Parental Rights
The US Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the parents have the fundamental righ to direct the upbringing and education of their children.  In recognition of both the right and responsibility of parents to control their children's education, the US Supreme Court has stated, "It is cardinal with us that the custody, care, and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the State can neither supply nor hinder."  Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).

The US Supreme Court has recognized that the right of parents to raise their children free from unreasonable state interference is one of the unwritten liberties protected by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and criticized a state legislature for trying to interfere "with the power of parents to control the education of their own." Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 US 390,401 (1923).

____________________________________________________________________________________

 3.

Letter of No Consent

As the parent, or legal guardian of ______________________________, under U.S legislation and federal court decisions, I have the fundamental and legal right to direct the upbringing and education of my child which the school may not deny. 
In recognition of both the right and responsibility of parents to control their children's education, the US Supreme Court has stated, "It is cardinal with us that the custody, care, and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the State can neither supply nor hinder."  Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).

The US Supreme Court has recognized that the right of parents to raise their children free from unreasonable state interference is one of othe unwritten liberties protected by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and criticized a state legislature for trying to interfere "with the power of parents to control the education of their own." Meyer v. Nebraska, 262 US 390,401 (1923).

The PPRA also affords parents certain rights regarding conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement (PPRA):
Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution.
Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.

Please be advised that I do not give consent for my child, ___________________, to be participating in any of the testing during the current school year such as these listed:
Global Scholar, ACT Explore, ACT Plan, ACT Quality Core End-of-Course Assessments, ACT WorkKeys, ACT Plus Writing Assessment, ACT Aspire, Alabama Science Assessment, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
We will be keeping ___________ out of school during the initial testing period and will not allow him to be tested during the make-up period.
Child’s name ____________________________________________ Grade Level _________
Parent’s name (printed) _______________________________________________________
Parent’s signature __________________________________________ Date______________
School Name ________________________________________________________School Year _________

Received by_____________________________________________ Date Received________

Just to be clear district does not have permission to administer any state or district mandated standardized benchmark assessments to my child

What Does Movie GOD Is NOT Dead Have To Do With Common Core-In Short That Is A Main Subject Of Common Core

There is a new movie out called God is not Dead and it stars Kevin Sorbo.  This is a must watch for all but specially for teens.  There has been a huge movement to remove God from schools , the halls of Congress, the military (even in military funerals) and you see the results.  But no matter how hard those who do not believe try--GOD's Not Dead.  He Lives!!!For in him we live (zao {dzah'-o}, and move, and have our being; Acts 17:28

Here is an interview with the author of the book God's Not Dead:

Here is a trailer for those who would like to see:

This movie is so timely as everyone is struggling with so many things.  It seems like the world and problems are spinning faster than ever.  At times it takes a lot just to make it through a day.  Even something that used to be so simple as sending your kids to school is not so simple anymore.  You used to could trust that the school was a safe place for your child to learn so that he would have a good foundation for the future.

But alas, as always there are those who like the character Kevin Sorbo plays--think they are God.  Some are in business like Bill Gates of Microsoft and his cronies and some are in the highest offices of the land who with the power they weild can make mountains of policies move as we saw in Obamacare.  Then they have their minions throughout the land and throughout the states seeing the changes within the plan are carried it out for the intended result.  The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun and how evident is that today.

But just when the top dog like Bill Gates think he has all the power--even he, will realize that he is just a puppet on a string.

Mark 8:36 sends a warning:

 What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul?

But I guess if you hold so much power the Words from an Awesome God may not mean much to you.

 Here is a video to remind you of the awesome power of the one who holds us together:

Abraham Lincoln: "Philosophy Of Classroom In One Generation Will Be Philosophy Of Government In The Next"

Those words from Abe Lincoln is so true and the planners of what is now being passed across the country (Common Core) knows that full well.  

The Top Dog--Russia Knows it well(look under list of members)

The Top Business Men in the World Knows it well too

This Nation's Former Terrorist and His Friends Also knows that.

What Is A Parent To Do?

Educate yourself on Common Core--Here is a link with some info and there are many.  Please like on fb the Stop Common Core page in your state--this is a must, to gain access to how you can affect your state's fight against it.

Fight for your child in school, Homeschool if possible(--here's a link to help).

Fight for your school in the education system--learn about opting him out so that he doesn't have to go through the mental stress of the tests (here's an example for one state -Alabama and the suggested back of it should have this .  Study your state's laws as for example in NY I Refuse is better than Opt Out.

Get your friends, family, teachers and church educated (Please listen to these audio to help get some important points in your mind...

David Barton--reclaiming truth about education

Joan Landes and Jackie Virga--mental health aspect

Part II of David Barton Conference

Part III of David Barton Conference

Please listen to our show City On a Hill and get up to date and thought provoking information.  Go over our library of podcasts with interviews from Prof Jim Milgram, Prof Sandra Stotsky and many more.

Most of all--PRAY and let your child read and hear the Word of God.  Let them know how much you love them and that you are there for them.  In these dark times,  God's light shines the brightest.  Give everything to God in prayer and know that He is able.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2nd Tim 1:7

I personally highly recommend Stormie O'Martian's Power of Praying Parent book.  Seek God for help. 

REMEMBER GOD'S NOT DEAD!

If You've Been Told Common Core Is Not Nationalized (Or Should We Say Centralized)--Then Look At Their Central Planning

--Abe Lincoln: "Philosophy Of Classroom In One Generation Will Be Philosophy Of Government In The Next" 

Most states signed on to these Common Core Standards since Jan 2010 and to date almost all states, except ten, have a movement to repeal them.  Why?  Because many parents have seen in their own homes that they are poisoning the minds of America's children, besides dumbing them down and at the same time--costing the states money, they do not have.  But, there are those making money and guess who they are --the developers and promoters.  To top it off, they have the audacity to force taxpayers to pay for the assaults on the children.  Can parents afford to play dead or trust their legislators.

It is very rare to find legislators against Common Core and therefore this election will be key to removing the poison from the states.

Here's where you know there are central planners to Common Core.  You can just hear it across states.

• Door #1 is the Indiana Example-when they got what they were told as Indiana's own College and Career Ready Standards-see link of result
  

This is an excerpt of musings on the Indiana Repeal:

Even with this new bill we have to wonder how much Indiana is surrendering control over their standards.

SB 91 originally stated that the new Indiana standards must “comply with federal standards to receive a flexibility waiver under 20 U.S.C. 7861.” Proponents believe that “college and career ready standards” means adopting Common Core or something practically identical to the Common Core State Standards in order to stay within compliance of the state’s conditional waiver.

The bill also says the standards must “Prepare Indiana students for college and career success,  including the proper preparation for nationally recognized college entrance examinations such as the ACT and SAT.”  While that seems good, ACT and SAT have said their tests will be aligned to the Common Core.

Also they can lead you to Door #2

• Door #2--Control leadership such as Alabama's Senator Del Marsh.  As Speaker Pro Tem he is able to use the same ploy as he did last year and prevent an anti-Common Core bill from being voted on.  You see that repeated in many states and the Business Council's seem to be the voices heard over the people.  Hmmm but God is not dead and there will be an accounting.

As the above picture clearly shows,  America's foundation is being destroyed and it is happening in the classroom.  The planners of Obamacare now are fully implementing Obamacore.  Can we learn and not repeat lessons from Obamacare?

Let the local boards be able to choose to opt out of Common Core--that is what the Central Planners want as in reality they know whose really in charge. Teachers are afraid to speak out locally -so the truth will not be heard and that is the enemy of error.

Let's be strong and ask Sen Beason's original bill be allowed to be voted on instead of being changed to suit those that didn't want it voted on in the first place.  Let's stand for what's right for a change and pray hard that these people will be convicted to follow an awesome God and His ways.  

I pray they will ask themselves--what would Jesus do?  Simple question but yet so full of wisdom.  I hope they will do as George Washington and many others like him at the beginning of this nation, when things looked so hopeless and they felt so helpless. 

That's when God shines the brightest and I believe God is looking down upon every county Superintendent, every principal, every legislator and Governor..knowing full well their relationship with Him will determine the fate of the children and their very own.

Let's remember our history and these famous words from Ben Franklin:

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

Listen to David Barton of Wallbuilders and let's find the way back to American Exceptionalism

 Hope you have already seen these:

Common Core Causes Cognitive Distortion

Mary Calamia Testimony: