Over the past few weeks or so, comedian Louis C.K. has kicked up some dust by speaking out against the Common Core. His perspective is that of a parent of NYC public school kids, and there has been a fair amount of controversy, and back and forth in a variety of venues as a result of his take on this. Here’s a screen shot of some of his tweets.
One of the more volatile exchanges came from an article in Newsweek, responding to Louie’s objections.
This led to more response all across the web.
At one point Louie linked to Diane Ravich’s blog…saying in effect, here’s the POV of a person who has spent her life studying the issue. She opens the can more fully on her forum than he ever could, and looks at the worms in many ways.
It seem the thunder has not made it up this way, yet. Here’s one more set of Louie’s tweets on the subject.
I’ve worked in the schools as a teacher and tech specialist. I sent my kids to Brattleboro public schools. Those are elements of my past. What interests me now is how our community, which is attempting in many realms to reckon the present and orient towards a functional future, will respond to challenges. Will we look deeply, listen well, and join this debate, or go along for the ride?
Money
Perhaps money will be the reason people re-engage with the school system.
I get the sense that a number of residents are going to be watching the school budgets more closely than before (unless they forget their passion by the time budget season rolls around.) School salaries, compared to town salaries, seem rather generous in comparison and the school budget is double that of the town while serving a smaller number of people.
Louis’ efforts have gotten some notice. We need a local Louie or two if things are to change.
And yes, Common Core is awful. Disposable garbage from overpaid corporate consultants and companies hoping to extract as much from school budgets across the country as they can while they can.
vermont.gov/common-core
I was glad to see this post because I had heard of Common Core but lacked a sense of what it is.
http://education.vermont.gov/common-core
Another reminder
You might have missed Lise’s story on Common Core recently (last Sept). The education section has some other stories on local schools, too.
The Hydra of Education and Philanthropic Funding?
I was in NYC then, but read it now.
From Lise’s article and the comments, it appears to be a mixed bag of the good, bad and ugly,,,
Since the advent of the printing press book learning has been in the hands of those who can afford it. Even when they trickled down to the masses, as some pointed out in these articles, the rich endowed the schools and libraries as public supported learning squeaked along.
Our library here might still face cuts, so what do you think was proposed? Seek out philanthropic funding.