No answers for Common Core

I attended the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) presentation on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) on May 2 at the Career and Technology Center in Cape Girardeau. The sound system was nearly impossible to understand, but what was easy to understand was there was no relevant information being offered. Platitudes, talking points and buzz words like "state-led," "rigorous," "critical thinking," "international benchmarks," and "college-ready" were tossed about like candy. This was one of eight meetings presented simultaneously in Missouri's eight congressional districts.

Cape's meeting was led by Ken Jackson, area supervisor for the education department. Their plan was to use the "Delphi Technique" which limits direct audience participation. Each attendee was given the number of a table to sit at. Each table had two CCSS supporters in charge, a facilitator and another person who recorded our "likes" and "dislikes" of CCSS. In this fashion the participants interacted with their facilitator but had no opportunity to address the group as a whole. Results were presented before the entire group afterward. Some recorders added "likes" that were not agreed upon by their group. This method effectively silenced unwelcome voices. MissouriEducationWatchdog.com reveals that the Lindbergh DESE meeting didn't go quite so well. A woman attendee stood up and said "we are adults and we will not divide into Delphi groups."

People wanted answers and there weren't any to be had. Questions supposedly will be answered on DESE's website at some later date. For more information about Common Core, visit MissouriEducationWatchdog.com.

ESTHER BOHNERT, Jackson