There is something either disingenuous or shockingly naïve about the Fordham Institute’s horror at discovering federal involvement in the push for Common Core. And it is equally disingenuous or naïve for conservative curriculum backers of Common Core to suddenly discover that the new regime may be more progressive nonsense rather than their fantasy of the triumph of E.D. Hirsch. We warned folks that federal coercion was central to the success of Common Core. And we warned folks that national standards would ultimately advance the preferences of entrenched education special interests rather than those of reformers.
Rather than heeding these warnings or hedging their bets, these “conservative” backers of Common Core have doubled down in their support. Checker in his customary high-handed style has tried to dismiss critics as crazy so that their legitimate objections need not be taken seriously. The opponents just consist of “tea party activists, a couple of influential talk-radio hosts and bloggers, some disgruntled academics, several conservative think-tanks, and a couple of mysterious but deep-pocketed funders.”
I think he keenly emphasizes "conservative" since pushing for this type of solution is not the conservative position. It's the progressive position since as he finds Common Core will require large and larger support structures and more Federal power and money to prop it up.
Read more at http://jaypgreene.com/2013/05/30/the-end-of-the-beginning-for-common-core/
Remember, the same people who have been pushing for a nationalized education program are behind this effort. It's just now we are much more organized to fight back. The odd part is that Common Core advocates seem shocked that we are opposing their efforts. Bullies are always taken aback when you punch back.
