(John) White Lies and Alibis
This letter was submitted to the press for consideration.
This is another unsolicited letter – from Anna Falcon Arthur, a physician and parent, in Thibodeaux, LA – expressing her own particular observations and concerns regarding Common Core.
In a “three-strikes-you’re out” format, Thibodeaux parent Dr. Arthurs documents the actual facts related to several inconsistencies from the LA Dept. of Education and particularly from the LA State Superintendent: 1) federal and state laws dictate that curriculum must be locally controlled; 2) the fact that LA actually has received federal funds leading to federal control of LA public education (despite Supt. White’s and others’ claims that LA hasn’t received federal funding for these); and 3) the fact that Supt. White has admitted that standardized test questions are changed each year (Supt. White won’t allow parents to see the tests claiming the questions are used repeatedly from year to year.)
On behalf of Dr. Arthurs,
Thank you,
Mary K. Bellisario, Coalition for Louisiana Public Education
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In case there are any issues with opening the attachment, here is Dr. Arthurs’ letter:
(JOHN) WHITE LIES, AND ALIBIS
Proponents for the Common Core Initiative have never supported their claims with facts. This could be due to the fact that there is little to no research or data to back up many of their unsubstantiated claims. Their elitist mentality and accompanying arrogance lead them to believe they can say whatever they want and the rest of us will just accept their premises. Parents have proven to be the fact checkers when faced with the false claims of Common Core proponents.
On December 22, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) awarded Louisiana $17.4 million in round three of Race to the Top (RTTT). RTTT was a federally funded competitive grant that required participating states to adopt national common standards before they were written (Common Core), national assessments (PARCC or SBAC), establish a state longitudinal data system for the collection and use of student data, and make changes in teacher accountability. Louisiana Supt. of Education John White has stated in public thatGeaux Teacher!: (John) White Lies and Alibis: