We need more parents to understand and share the truth that their parental input will be gone because standards will now be coming out of Washington DC through the "Common Core (National) Standards". Below are some key information that all parents should realize. There are the thoughts of the two professors that were asked to be part of forming those standards--learn the truth and realize this plan to nationalize education must die in our state and hopefully others also as it is very dangerous. No matter what anyone else may say--governors etc--these educators who have dedicated their lives to working and helping students know the inside story--may America listen and learn:
Most prominent are the perspective from Professor Jim Milgram and Professor Sandra Stotsky who were in the national validation committee as part of the development of the common core standards.
Majority of the states agreed to the common core states standards as part of their application to get "race to the top" grants-( Applications for Race to the Top funding were released by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2009 and were due in January 2010, even though most state legislatures aren’t in session during that time)
---before the standards were published in June 2010. And these are just some of the problems they see--will we listen?
"How can the State Boards of Education make decisions when they haven't even read the standards? Many state's Board Member had never been initiated into what was in these documents. What were the policy issues coming out of these documents and whether these analyses were truly were in a sense legitimate academic analysis-- a really serious issue of uninformed Boards of Education in this country which they would never do on most other issues. These are very serious issues about what self- government means at the state and local government level."--Sandra Stotsky, professor in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, and holds the 21st Century Chair in Teacher Quality.
Link to full explanation why Mrs. Sandra Stotsky could not endorse the common core standards
"...the requirement to automaticity on their own self- invented algorithms was one of the political issues that came in at the last moment and it's absolutely crazy. And then there was an entire list of similar ones, that equally made no sense whatsoever in terms of the long term development of children's mathematical capacity." -- Dr. R. James Milgram, professor of mathematics at Stanford University.
Please call your legislators and everyone in these committees and ask each to please support these two bilss HB254 and SB190 to fight Common Core and defend our children. Belowe are links with phone numbers.
House:
Chair; Mary Sue McClurkin, Vice Chair; Phil Williams, Ranking Minority Member; Marcel Black
Committee Clerk: Karen Reeves
(334) 242-7251
Elaine Beech, Mac Buttram, Ed Henry, Thomas Jackson, Joseph Mitchell, Kerry Rich, David Sessions, Lesley Vance
Subcommittees
Higher Education
Phil Williams, Chair; Marcel Black, Ed Henry, Joseph Mitchell, Allen Treadaway, Lesley Vance, David Sessions.
K - 12
Lesley Vance, Chair; Elaine Beech, Mac Buttram, Ed Henry, Thomas Jackson, David Sessions, Phil Williams.
Links to phone numbers of Alabama House of Representatives--Click Here
Links to phone numbers of Alabama Senate Members--Click Here
Seanate Education Committee:
EDUCATION
Brewbaker, Chairperson; Ross, Vice Chairperson; Allen, Blackwell, Figures, Holtzclaw, McGill, Pittman, Sanders.
HB254
By Representatives Barton, Long, Sessions and Henry
RFD Education Policy
Rd 1 12-FEB-13
| SYNOPSIS: |
Under existing law, the State Board of Education is directed to establish a core curriculum for every student in grades kindergarten through twelve in the state's public schools. |
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This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. |
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This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances. |
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This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state. |
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This bill would also require notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards. |
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to education and core curriculum standards; to prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative; to prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances; to prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state; and to require notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The adoption and funding of the Common Core State Standards Initiative are hereby repealed.
(b) The State Board of Education may not adopt, and the Department of Education may not implement, the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Any actions taken to adopt or implement the Common Core State Standards at the state or district level as of the effective date of this act are void ab initio.
(c) Beginning with the remainder of the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and any other state may not do the following:
(1) Expend any funds, whether originating from Race to the Top grants or elsewhere, on construction, enhancement, or expansion of any Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) designed to track students or compile their personal information beyond what is necessary for basic administrative needs or compliance with requirements of the United States Department of Education.
(2) Share any data compiled on students or teachers, whether personally identifiable or aggregate, with any entity outside the state, including any federal agency, except as follows:
a. Student or teacher data may be shared with the United States Department of Education only when:
1. Such data-sharing is required by the United States Department of Education as a condition of receiving a federal grant.
2. The United States Department of Education agrees in writing to use the data only to evaluate the program or programs funded by the grant.
3. The United States Department of Education agrees in writing that the data will not be used for any research beyond that related to evaluation of the program or programs funded by the grant, unless a parent or guardian of any student whose data are to be so used, or any teacher whose data are to be so used, affirmatively consents in writing to that use.
4. The United States Department of Education agrees in writing to destroy the data upon completion of the evaluation of the program or programs for which the data were compiled.
5. The grant or program in connection with which the data are required is one authorized by statute or by rule properly promulgated under the Federal Administrative Procedure Act.
b. If the United States Department of Education requires, as a condition of making an educational grant to a recipient in the state, that the recipient share student or teacher data under circumstances that do not comply with paragraph a. the recipient shall notify, in writing, the parents or guardians of every student whose data are demanded by the United States Department of Education,
1. That the recipient has been required to share the student's or teacher's data with the United States Department of Education;
2. That neither the recipient nor any other entity within the state will have control over the use or sharing of that student's or teacher's data by the United States Department of Education; and
3. The contact information, including telephone number and e-mail address, of the United States Department of Education official who demands the data.
(c) Student or teacher data may be shared with any testing consortium of which the state is a member only when:
(1) The data are transmitted in nonindividual record format; and
(2) The data are limited to information directly related to the testing, such as the student's grade level and test scores.
Section 2. The State of Alabama shall retain sole control over the development and revision of school standards. Therefore, the Alabama State Board of Education may not enter into any agreement or join any consortium or other association that cedes any measure of control to entities outside the state. Any statewide school standard may not be adopted or implemented unless:
(1) A public hearing is held in each Congressional District.
(2) The State Board of Education solicits input from educators, content experts, parents, and other members of the community during an open comment period of one year.
(3) Joint open hearings are held before the Senate Education Policy Committee and the House of Representatives Education Policy Committee.
(4) The standard receives a majority vote of the Alabama Legislature.
Section 3. The provisions of this act are severable. If any part of this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
Section 4. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
_________________
SB190
SB190
By Senators Brewbaker, Ward, Scofield, Allen, Fielding, Whatley, Pittman, Beason, Sanford, McGill, Glover, Holtzclaw, Williams, Blackwell and Waggoner
RFD Education
Rd 1 12-FEB-13
| SYNOPSIS: |
Under existing law, the State Board of Education is directed to establish a core curriculum for every student in grades kindergarten through twelve in the state's public schools. |
| |
This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. |
| |
This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances. |
| |
This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state. |
| |
This bill would also require notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards. |
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to education and core curriculum standards; to prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative; to prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances; to prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state; and to require notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The adoption and funding of the Common Core State Standards Initiative are hereby repealed.
(b) The State Board of Education may not adopt, and the Department of Education may not implement, the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Any actions taken to adopt or implement the Common Core State Standards at the state or district level as of the effective date of this act are void ab initio.
(c) Beginning with the remainder of the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and any other state may not do the following:
(1) Expend any funds, whether originating from Race to the Top grants or elsewhere, on construction, enhancement, or expansion of any Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) designed to track students or compile their personal information beyond what is necessary for basic administrative needs or compliance with requirements of the United States Department of Education.
(2) Share any data compiled on students or teachers, whether personally identifiable or aggregate, with any entity outside the state, including any federal agency, except as follows:
a. Student or teacher data may be shared with the United States Department of Education only when:
1. Such data-sharing is required by the United States Department of Education as a condition of receiving a federal grant.
2. The United States Department of Education agrees in writing to use the data only to evaluate the program or programs funded by the grant.
3. The United States Department of Education agrees in writing that the data will not be used for any research beyond that related to evaluation of the program or programs funded by the grant, unless a parent or guardian of any student whose data are to be so used, or any teacher whose data are to be so used, affirmatively consents in writing to that use.
4. The United States Department of Education agrees in writing to destroy the data upon completion of the evaluation of the program or programs for which the data were compiled.
5. The grant or program in connection with which the data are required is one authorized by statute or by rule properly promulgated under the Federal Administrative Procedure Act.
b. If the United States Department of Education requires, as a condition of making an educational grant to a recipient in the state, that the recipient share student or teacher data under circumstances that do not comply with paragraph a. the recipient shall notify, in writing, the parents or guardians of every student whose data are demanded by the United States Department of Education,
1. That the recipient has been required to share the student's or teacher's data with the United States Department of Education;
2. That neither the recipient nor any other entity within the state will have control over the use or sharing of that student's or teacher's data by the United States Department of Education; and
3. The contact information, including telephone number and e-mail address, of the United States Department of Education official who demands the data.
(c) Student or teacher data may be shared with any testing consortium of which the state is a member only when:
(1) The data are transmitted in nonindividual record format; and
(2) The data are limited to information directly related to the testing, such as the student's grade level and test scores.
Section 2. The State of Alabama shall retain sole control over the development and revision of school standards. Therefore, the Alabama State Board of Education may not enter into any agreement or join any consortium or other association that cedes any measure of control to entities outside the state. Any statewide school standard may not be adopted or implemented unless:
(1) A public hearing is held in each Congressional District.
(2) The State Board of Education solicits input from educators, content experts, parents, and other members of the community during an open comment period of one year.
(3) Joint open hearings are held before the Senate Education Policy Committee and the House of Representatives Education Policy Committee.
(4) The standard receives a majority vote of the Alabama Legislature.
Section 3. The provisions of this act are severable. If any part of this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
Section 4. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
Phone Numbers and Emails of Legislators:
Flexibility Act HB84--Why passed so quickly yet doesn't really give local control as it seems to indicate? See below and compare with HB254 and SB190
Rep(s). By Representative Fincher
HB84
ENGROSSEDA BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To establish the Local Control School Flexibility Act of 2013, relating to public K-12 education; to authorize the establishment of innovative schools and school systems in the state; to provide legislative findings and purposes; to provide an overview; to authorize the State Board of Education to enter into school flexibility contracts with local school systems; to require the local board of education to submit a document of assurance; to require the State Board of Education to promulgate rules and regulations relating to innovative school systems; to require local school systems to submit an innovation plan to the State Department of Education in order to qualify for innovation status; and to provide for an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Local Control School Flexibility Act of 2013.
Section 2. (a) Innovative schools and school systems may be established in Alabama in accordance with this act.
(b) The purpose of this act is to advance the benefits of local school and school system autonomy in innovation and creativity by allowing flexibility from state laws, regulations, and policies.
Section 3. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) To further the goals of public education throughout the state, each school system should be able to have maximum possible flexibility to meet the needs of students and the communities within its jurisdiction.
(2) There is a critical need for innovative models of public education that are tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of the students in all schools and communities, and especially in schools and communities that are struggling to improve academic outcomes and close the achievement gap.
(3) To better serve students and better use available resources, local boards of education and local school systems need the ability to explore flexible alternatives in an effort to be more efficient and effective in providing operational and programmatic services.
(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to do all of the following:
(1) Allow school systems greater flexibility in meeting the educational needs of a diverse student population.
(2) Improve educational performance through greater individual school autonomy and managerial flexibility with regard to programs and budgetary matters.
(3) Encourage innovation in education by providing local school systems and school administrators with greater control over decisions including, but not limited to, budgetary matters, staffing, personnel, scheduling, and educational programming, including curriculum and instruction.
Section 4. For the purposes of this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) FLEXIBILITY CONTRACT. A school flexibility contract between the local school system and the State Board of Education wherein a local school system may apply for programmatic flexibility or budgetary flexibility, or both, from state laws, regulations, and policies, including regulations and policies promulgated by the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education.
(2) INNOVATION PLAN. The request of a local school system for flexibility and plan for annual accountability measures and five-year targets for all participating schools within the school system.
(3) LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION. A city or county board of education that exercises management and control of a local school system pursuant to state law.
(4) LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. A public agency that establishes and supervises one or more public schools within its geographical limits pursuant to state law.
(5) SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR. A local superintendent of education or local school principal, unless otherwise specified.
Section 5. (a) Pursuant to this act, to be considered as an innovative school system, a local school system shall successfully comply with the requirements and procedures set forth by the State Department of Education regarding school flexibility contracts, which include, but are not limited to:
(1) Submission to the State Department of Education of a letter of intent to pursue a school flexibility contract.
(2) Submission to the State Department of Education of a resolution adopted by the local board of education supporting the intent of the local school system to pursue a school flexibility contract.
(3) Submission to the State Department of Education of a document of assurance stating that the local board of education shall provide consistency in leadership and a commitment to state standards, assessments, and academic rigor.
(4) Submission to the State Board of Education of a resolution adopted by the local board of education supporting the flexibility contract proposal and the anticipated timeline of the local school system.
(b) Pursuant to State Board of Education rules, each local school system shall provide an opportunity for full discussion and public input , including a public hearing, before submitting a school flexibility contract proposal to the State Board of Education.
(c) A local school system shall ensure that its school flexibility contract proposal and innovation plan is easily accessible to the general public on the website of the local school system.
Section 6. (a) The innovation plan of a local school system shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) The school year that the local school system expects the school flexibility contract to begin.
(2) The list of state laws, regulations, and policies, including rules, regulations, and policies promulgated by the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education, that the local school system is seeking to waive in its school flexibility contract.
(3) A list of schools included in the innovation plan of the local school system.
(b) A local school system is accountable to the state for the performance of all schools in its system, including innovative schools, under state and federal accountability requirements.
(c) A local school system may not, pursuant to this act, waive requirements imposed by federal law, requirements related to the health and safety of students or employees, requirements imposed by ethics laws, requirements imposed by open records or open meetings laws, requirements related to financial or academic reporting or transparency, requirements designed to protect the civil rights of students or employees, requirements related to participation in a the state retirement system or state health insurance plan, or requirements imposed by Section 16-13-231, Code of Alabama 1975. This act may not be construed to allow a local school system to compensate a current employee at an annual rate that is less than the amount the current employee local school system to compensate an employee at an annual amount that is less than the amount the employee would otherwise be afforded through the State Minimum Salary Schedule included in the annual Education Trust Fund Appropriations Act in force at the time. Additionally, this act may not be construed to allow a local school system to require any employee or future employee who attains tenure or nonprobationary status to involuntarily relinquish any rights or privileges acquired by that employee as a result of attaining tenure or nonprobationary status under the Students First Act.
No provision of this act shall be construed or shall be used to authorize the formation of a charter school.
(d) Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the approval of a flexibility contract that gives potential, current, or future employees the option to voluntarily waive any rights or privileges already acquired or that could potentially be acquired as a result of attaining tenure or nonprobationary status, provided, however, that any employee provided this option is also provided the option of retaining or potentially obtaining any rights or privileges provided under the Students First Act, Chapter 24C of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975.
(d) (e) The State Department of Education shall finalize all school data and the local school system shall seek approval of the local board of education before final submission to the State Department of Education and the State Board of Education.
(e) (f) The final innovation plan, as recommended by the local superintendent of education and approved by the local board of education, shall accompany the formal submission of the local school system to the State Department of Education.
(f) (g) Within 60 days of receiving the final submission, the State Superintendent of Education shall decide whether or not the school flexibility contract and the innovation plan should be approved. If the State Superintendent of Education denies a school flexibility contract and innovation plan, he or she shall provide a written explanation for his or her decision to the local board of education. Likewise, a written letter of approval by the State Superintendent of Education shall be provided to the local board of education that submitted the final school flexibility contract and innovation plan.
(f) (g) (h) The State Board of Education shall promulgate any necessary rules and regulations required to implement this act including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The specification of timelines for submission and approval of the innovation plan and school flexibility contract of a local school system.
(2) An authorization for the State Department of Education, upon approval by the State Board of Education after periodic review, to revoke a school flexibility contract for noncompliance or nonperformance, or both, by a local school system.
(3) An outline of procedures and necessary steps that a local school system shall follow, upon denial of an original submission, to amend and resubmit an innovation plan and school flexibility contract for approval.
Section 7. The State Board of Education and the State Department of Education shall ensure equal opportunity for all school systems that apply for programmatic flexibility or budgetary flexibility, or both, as delineated in this act, and in no way shall one local school system be favored over another local school system based upon its size, location, student population, or any other possible discriminatory measure.
Section 8. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.
Education
Local Control School Flexibility Act
Board of Education, City
Board of Education, County
Board of Education, State
State Department of Education
Superintendent of Education, State
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 07:39PM 