Leah Peterson: Anti-Common Core Parents Want More Than Empty Promises

Kirsten Baesler’s announcement that North Dakota is moving away from Common Core should raise a lot of questions for parents and voters concerned about our education system. It would be too easy to see this as a ploy to gain votes.

Baesler’s own statements leads one to suspect that this is just that–a strategy made under the duress of a floundering campaign.

Superintendent Baesler testified to the education committee during the hearing on HB1461 that all it would take to get out of Smarter Balanced is, “her signature and the governor’s.” But now she is saying we cannot get out until after the November elections.

What about curriculum? Are the same people who told us Common Core was a good idea going to create and review the “new” standards? We have always felt that North Dakota parents, teachers and administrators can do a much better job coming up with North Dakota standards for our North Dakota children.

[mks_pullquote align=”right” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#000000″]To date no state that has announced its withdrawal from Common Core has actually succeeded. Instead, citizens in those states have been given the same pig with new lipstick.[/mks_pullquote]

For these new standards to be successful this process needs to be inclusive. Parents are and always will be the resident experts on their children. It is only by working together that we will be able to achieve world class standards for our students.

To date no state that has announced its withdrawal from Common Core has actually succeeded. Instead, citizens in those states have been given the same pig with new lipstick.

Taking her cue from Common Core supporters in other states, desperate to calm the storm they’ve created with Common Core, Baesler is using smoke and mirrors to divert our attention and lead us to believe the problem that is Common Core is finally being addressed. Concerned parents and activists need to continue to keep the heat on until we have completely eradicated Common Core from our state.

This conversation is not over and needs to stay at the forefront long after the elections. If you want to make sure your voice is heard, ask to join the closed Facebook group Stop Common Core in North Dakota. This is a great place to stay involved with what is happening and to find others in your area to connect with.

We want this to be successful not just empty promises. This will take everyone fighting on every level- state and local- to make sure that we are fully removed from Common Core standards AND curriculum. Anything less simply will not do.