Yesterday Diane Ravitch said,
I have come to the conclusion that the Common Core standards effort is fundamentally flawed by the process with which they have been foisted upon the nation.
The Common Core standards have been adopted in 46 states and the District of Columbia without any field test. They are being imposed on the children of this nation despite the fact that no one has any idea how they will affect students, teachers, or schools. We are a nation of guinea pigs, almost all trying an unknown new program at the same time.
Later Diane posted a letter from NY principal Carol Burris. Carol said,
I am coming to the same conclusion regarding the CCSS despite the fact that I have advocated college readiness for students during my entire professional career. The CCSS, as they are being implemented, are not about college readiness for all–they are about a testing system that will sort students into different pathways.
Then Diane posted a letter from Julie Gorlewski. Julie said,
The common core materialized as a tool of the political elite and the private sector. The common core was neither sought nor developed by educators or those who care about students or the future of the common good. The common core is meant for political gain and economic profit. This matters because the origin of a movement affects its implementation. Despite elevated rhetoric surrounding the common core, its underlying assumptions about what counts as knowledge, literacy, and culture will exacerbate – not ameliorate – inequality.
And today in my email I received,
I have a few questions someone has to ask:
If EdWeek is a proud supporter of the Common Core why do any of us support EdWeek?
As I have pointed out quite regularly, EdWeek’s “news” stories are typically reprinted press releases from the “faith-based reformers” or purely propaganda for the purveyors of the Common Core. It seems to me that if you really want education news and analysis that there are more than enough independent bloggers and blog sites (such as @the chalkface) to satisfy any need to know what is really going on in education. Why go to EdWeek? Why support a publication that actively takes money from the “faith based reformers” pushing the unproven Common Core?
An what about the amazing line up of EdWeek bloggers fighting “faith based reforms and reformers?” Is it time…?
Is it time for all of us to “stop kneeling at the altar” of EdWeek?
Follow Timothy D. Slekar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/slekar
I’ve stepped back from AERA and am contemplating sending them a letter explaining why I feel it is no longer representing my interests regarding the potential of education. As for Ed Week, I think we need to start speaking back to them and challenging their stories, reporters, and commentary. It’s time to hold me accountable for being a shill.
I agree on the suspicion regarding Ed Week. A couple years ago I signed up for the e-mail newsletters because I knew the common core was rolling at me, and EdWeek presented itself as a useful resource for teachers. It quickly revealed itself as a reform cheerleader and compliance assistant,
i don’t think anything we say or do will change their stance….they’re too deeply intertwined-talking back only works with someone who will listen–
otherwise opt out!–boycott has worked before and will work again-deny someone their $$$ and membership and THEN they might listen!
Common Core is to high-stakes standardized testing as ready-roll cigarettes were to nicotine when they came along–a technologically advanced, efficient, and effective delivery system for a dangerous and addictive drug. And just as Pearson and McGraw-Hill function as the Philip Morris and Lorillard of standardized testing, Ed Week represents Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man rolled into one giant high tech testing campaign. And yes, they’d rather fight than switch.
well, hell yes it’s time to end the relationship. time to refuse to participate. time to add them to the list of things to take down on our overhaul of it all.
I struggle with this too; they need ad $ to survive…and (like teacher centers, NCTE, and the National Writing Project, have learned that sources of finding are becoming more and more limited.
EdWeek, NCTE, ASCD … it is the market problem, and why I struggle with being a part of any professional organization.
I subscribe to EW so I can post comment, and remain active online. But wonder if that is a valid justification.
This is the problem. We need to know what they are saying to make sure we can counter the rhetoric. Just wondering what would happen though if all the education bloggers quit writing for EdWeek. Would that do anything?
Agreed. I’m sad I subscribed to EdWeek, but I will let the subscription lapse as I did with that other propaganda piece ASCD.
you can request no further delivery.
The only issue with opting out or otherwise disengaging is that you cede that territory to the “faith based reformers”. It is quite important to continue the push back on all possible fronts by speaking truth to the power of their money.
OPT OUT of Edweek!
I get those all the time too. They like talking out of both sides of their mouths, apparently.