The meeting did not go quite the way we were told it would. Jeb Bush's associates were supposed to come and present an overview of Common Core. However, they backed out almost at the last minute. If they had come, there were only supposed to present the "nuts and bolts" of Common Core, not act as cheerleaders for it.
Instead, Michael Brickman, Policy Director of the Fordham Institute,
spoke in favor of Common Core. He was rather enthusiastic about its
merits. After he finished, there were presentations by Bill Cobey,
Chairman of the State Board of Education, Dr. Rebecca
Garland, Chief Academic Officer of the NC Department of Public
Instruction, and Dr. June Atkinson, State Superintendent of the
Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
These presentations were clearly not just an explanation of what is in Common Core. They were an impassioned defense of it.
After the presentations were over, we on the committee were given an
opportunity to ask questions. When I had my turn, I gave a statement
concerning why I had introduced the bill calling for a study of Common
Core, including the fact that I have been inundated
by people all over the State with their concerns about it. I spoke of
the meeting Dr. Atkinson had with Rep. Michael Speciale and me, the 67
questions posed to her by Lt. Governor Dan Forest, and her response to
him. I pointed out that, even if it was not
her intent, Dr. Atkinson's response to Dan Forest came across to me as
evasive, dismissive, condescending, and disrespectful. I stated that
the Lt. Governor's questions were pertinent and reasonable and capable
of direct answers, which Dr. Atkinson did not
give. I stated that the Lt. Governor and the people of North Carolina
deserve direct and precise answers to those questions, rather than being
put off to wade through a sea of information to try to find answers
that Dr. Atkinson should be able to provide
more concisely. I called on Dr. Atkinson to provide direct answers, in
writing, before the next meeting of the committee, to Lt. Governor
Forest, and all members of the committee.
Dr. Atkinson apparently has no intention of doing so. She defends her
response to Lt. Gov. Forest by saying that if she had given him brief
answers, she would have been accused of not providing enough
information. However, I believe that she could have given
more direct and simple answers and still have provided all the
information she sent to Lt. Gov. Forest as support material for those
answers. So I still see her response as evasive. Whenever someone is
evasive, I naturally wonder, "What do you have to hide?"
Sen. Buck Newton pressed the question of what effect Common Core will
have on home schools and private schools. He was told there would be no
effect, because DPI has no authority over home schools or private
schools. However, the testing that is required,
including SAT's, is being geared to the Common Core curriculum.
Therefore, there will be an indirect effect, which will put nonpublic
education students at a disadvantage if they do not follow the Common
Core Standards. So I put no stock in this answer.
The next meeting of the committee will be sometime "in early February." I
do not have the date yet. The opposing view will be presented at this
next meeting. Civitas, the John Locke Foundation, and others will be
represented. Concerned citizens need to remain
alert and try to turn out for the meeting, as many did on Dec. 17.
Representative Larry G. Pittman
North Carolina General Assembly
House of Representatives
1321 Legislative Building
16 W. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
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