Common Core dumbs down America's kids

DELTONA -- I do not have kids but recently I have heard how the government is pushing Common Core. It's suppose to "level" the playing filled with universal standards, but with education there is no a one- size fits all.

Common Core comes into full implementation in 2014. Forty-six states have signed on to Common Core, most not knowing the consequences when they did. Why did theses states say "yes" to Common Core? The short answer is "money."

In typical fashion of the federal government, they promise money if states agree to their terms. States would get millions of dollars in "Race to the Top" grants if they would adopt Common Core per a Fox published story, "Clash over Common Core: Opposition Grows As National Education Standards Approach."

We need to challenge the gifted students and help those who need extra attention and Common Core does not do that. Some states have started implementing some of the standards and when they did standardized tests something surprising happened: Student proficiency scores went down. Yes, down. Not up.

It seems that Common Core dumbs down America's kids -- the exact opposite of what they promised.

It seems that Common Core dumbs down America's kids -- the exact opposite of what they promised.

Also, do you remember reading the classics in English? With Common Core, most is replaced with non-fiction and informational ready. I see the idea of creative writing dying off with Common Core. Don't think that if your kids are in private or home schooled you are safe. The SAT will be aligned to these standards. So if your kids are planning to go to college, this will affect them as well.

There is something else disturbing about Common Core that has nothing to do with education. Recently, I saw a presentation on Common Core and we found out that they ultimately track students through a nationwide database. This would not be just grades, but family religion, political beliefs, earnings, etc. From one article, there are over 400 data points. Why does the government need to track America's children? Why do they need to track data points that deal with political beliefs, etc? Who will have access to this and how will it ultimately be used?

None of us wants the government, with a few key strokes, to know in a community who is off a certain political persuasion, religious background, etc.? As the deadline approaches there has been an uprising by parents over the federal government's control over kids education. It used to be if a parent had an issue, they you could take it up with the school board. Now, they will have to deal with the federal government. Good luck to the parent who tries to take on the federal government if they do not like something their kids are being taught.

Growing up my parents were able to make decisions about my education. Shouldn't the parents of today's children have the same right? Common Core takes that right away.

Growing up my parents were able to make decisions about my education. Shouldn't the parents of today's children have the same right? Common Core takes that right away.