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.by Anura Guruge

Related recent posts:
>> Common sense on Common Core
>> — Sep. 22, 2013.
>> Board gets congratulated for
>> meaningless vote — Sep. 19, 2013.
>> Common Core Vote … — Sep. 16, 2013.
>> How come no ACS teachers attended
>> … — Aug. 10, 2013.
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Click to access … you can get ALL of the current standards here.

I am totally and utterly convinced beyond a shadow a doubt that all those around here that vehemently oppose ‘Common Core’ have no idea, whatsoever, as to what they are opposing!

They are opposing something because they think it came from D.C. and that Microsoft is behind it.

But, just look at what the standards are. They are BUT damn guidelines that say these are what kids should know at this grade. Just motherhood and apple pie stuff.

Here is A STANDARD: “Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison, e.g., interpret 35 = 5 × 7 as a statement that 35 is 5 times as many as 7 and 7 times as many as 5.”

What is YOUR problem with that?

Coming up with standards like that isn’t easy. It is NOT something that can be done on the fly. It takes years. That is why CC isn’t a bad thing.

Yesterday’s, i.e., September 26, 2013, ‘editorial’ (but lets face it you can’t have a socially inept, sports writer writing editorials) in the shameless ‘The Braysider‘ about Alton’s CC vote was abject proof of it. They have NO IDEA what a standard is.

But, it got me thinking. That is why I am showing you how to look at THE STANDARDS. IF it is easier for YOU start with the standards for the lower grades, e.g., Grade 2, where one of the standards is: “Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using drawings and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem”. Any questions? Is there anything sinister in that?

So a few things continue to bother me about the inane, meaningless
vote taken by the Alton Central School (ACS) Board on September 16, 2013.

Concern #1

The Alton Central superintendent, the Alton Central Principal, the Alton Central  TEACHERS representative (Mr. Richard Kirby) & Carol Locke, Principal of Gilmanton School were in favor of Common Core. They made that very, very clear.

But, Terri Noyes and Krista Argiropolis voted against CC.

So, lets look at this: 1 superintendent, 2 principals & the majority of ACS TEACHERS for CC.

Terri Noyes and Krista Argiropolis AGAINST CC — and given that democracy was at work they prevailed.

Does anybody KNOW the educational and professional credentials of Terri Noyes and Krista Argiropolis?

I am NOT even sure whether between them they can come up with 4 years of College. I could be wrong. I have asked the Superintendent, William (Bill) Lander, so far with no avail, to let me know what the educational credentials of these two women are.

BUT, one thing has to be sure. They CAN NOT be better educated on the issue they voted on THAN 1 superintendent, 2 principals & the majority of ACS TEACHERS.

So mull that over. 1 superintendent, 2 principals & the majority of ACS TEACHERS override, roughshod, by two women who from what I can see could have questionable math skills.

Concern #2

I was told, at a prior Board meeting, within the last 3 months, that a previous Board, within the last 2.5 years,
APPROVED the school going ahead with CC.

As far as I know Terri Noyes and Krista Argiropolis have been on the ACS Board forever and a day. I am sure they were there 2.5 years ago.

I would love to know how they voted at that meeting that APPROVED CC.

Did they vote ‘Yes’ for it BEFORE changing their mind now and voting ‘No’.

IF we had a more responsive  Superintendent I would be able to get this information from him. But, he doesn’t cooperate.

But, I will persevere.