Common Core: Report on Common Core/PARCC delay in Tn State House
Hello friends and readers.
Alot of activity in Nashville this week. A Common Core and PARCC delay of 2 years was compromised after calling for repeal.
On the front lines and doing an exceptional job is none other than Karen Bracken of Tennessee Against Common Core, Lauri Day and Julie West.
These ladies went to bat for you and your children this week, although not getting a full repeal they managed to broker a delay of 2 years while shedding light on the process and informing the public. Despite the circumstances and heavy political games this battle is to be considered a victory. “We have to stay diligent,” said Karen Bracken, founder of Tennessee Against Common Core. “It’s not what we want, but it’s more than we expected today. We’re very happy.”
Here is her update on the rally which offers some insight into the battle that waged and those legislators opposing their efforts.
Please go to: www.tnacc.net and read other interesting articles and offer them some financial support. This constant war on Common Core and the political elite is not cheap!
COMMON CORE RALLY DETAILS
“If education has become – as Common Core openly declares – preparation for work in the global economy, then this situation is far worse than Common Core critics ever anticipated. And the concerns about cost, and quality and yes, even the constitutionality of Common Core, pale in comparison to the concerns for the hearts, minds and souls of American children.” Dr. Daniel Copeland, Hillsdale College
WOW WHAT A WEEK!!! BUT WE ARE NOT DONE!!!
On Monday we took over their hearing room.
On Tuesday we took over the War Memorial Plaza with a cast of quests that were unequaled and a crowd of citizens that warmed our hearts on a miserable cold day.
On Wednesday we saw our government at work. At times it seemed more like a Laurel and Hardy movie but the point was made and the case won. Our legislators attached 32 education amendments to HB1129/SB1266 in order to by-pass the Education Committees to repeal Common Core and withdraw from PARCC. This tactic forced leadership to allow our voice to be heard. We did not get our repeal. But we did get a lot of good press and people in Nashville are very nervous. We did get an amendment passed that will delay PARCC for 2 years; but be very cautious here. New lipstick on a pig doesn’t change the fact that it is a still a pig. And they passed an amendment to stop the implementation of Common Core. Again, caution here. Common Core is already implemented. The other national standards coming down the pike ARE national standards but they ARE NOT COMMON CORE and we need to educate our legislators on this fact. But take heart. There are other pieces of legislation that spell this out.
So above you have a quick overview.
URGENT ACTION ITEMS – We are getting down to the wire. Only a couple more weeks of session left. We cannot stop now!!!
1. Friday 3/14, Saturday 3/15, Sunday 3/16 and Monday 3/17 – hit the phone lines and emails hard!!! List is attached. We need you to call and email all Education Committee members in both houses.
House Sub Committee –
YES vote on HB2332 (Repeal Common Core, Sponsored by Rep. Rick Womick)
House Full Education Committee –
NO vote on HB1693 (for-profits to open Charter Schools, Sponsored by Rep. John DeBerry) and HB1959 (Parent trigger, Sponsored by Rep. John DeBerry)
This is the same Rep. DeBerry that got over $100K from Students First in his last election.
Senate Education Committee –
YES vote for SB2405 (Repeal Common Core, Sponsor is Senator Mae Beavers)
YES vote for SB2153 (will require State School Board to be elected instead of appointed – THIS IS A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BILL, Sponsored by Sen. Niceley)
SHARE AND GET EVERYONE TO CALL. The only reason we have the repeal bills scheduled is because of your calls and emails and our 3 day event. So making noise does work.
Be polite. Please be prepared to let them know why you do not like Common Core.
2. Tuesday, March 18 – Pack up the kids again and come to an early morning hearing on Rep. Womick’s REPEAL COMMON CORE BILL (HB2332 is #3 on the lineup) Room 30, 08:00am
3. Wednesday, March 19 – The Senate Repeal bill is scheduled as #40 on the list. If you come on Wednesday be prepared for a long session. We have not been making calls to the Senate Education Committee so they are not aware of how we feel. So hit them HARD HARD HARD. There is no Senate Education Sub Committee so this is a big deal for this bill. 09:30am CST Room 12
THIS WILL BE THE ONLY NEWSLETTER YOU WILL RECEIVE BEFORE THE HEARINGS ON TUESDAY. For updates go to:
Go to the TN TAKES ACTION tab for updates. Check often to make sure you have the latest details.
If you have any questions please contact:
Karen Bracken – 215-692-2147 karen.bracken@reagan.com
Lauri Day – 615-268-8855 twoday@wildblue.net
Julie West – 615-579-0104 juliewest08@gmail.com
Our mailing address is:
Tennessee Against Common Core
231 Bob White Drive
Ocoee, TN 37361
Karen Bracken
http://www.tnacc.net
http://www.americadontforget.com
215-692-2147
Bradley County News Network 