Bill Would Examine Common Core, PARCC

NORTH WILDWOOD – One day, Janice Lennox, leader of The Concerned Citizens of Southern New Jersey, was watching a TV documentary about CSCOPE (constructive, socialistic curriculum of progressive education), the precursor to Common Core. It was that telecast that inspired her to take action against Common Core and all progressive educational initiatives.
“I was outraged,” Lennox said. “I have six grandchildren and was concerned about the future of their education. Common Core and its partner PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) are an attempt to turn our children into mindless clones and robots who all think alike and can be controlled by a monitor and a bunch of circuits. It will also cause teachers who love the profession to leave it behind due to the new regulations.”
Since The Concerned Citizens of Southern New Jersey formed in the spring of 2013, it has been influential in presenting legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st). Led by Lennox, the group is comprised of members Deb Yoa, Michelle Mellon, and Lynn Shirk.
“We got a senate bill that would examine Common Core and PARCC. State Sen. Van Drew has been supportive of our mission,” Lennox confirmed.
The bill states, “There is established the Education Reform Review task Force. The purpose of the task force shall be to review the implementation of the Common Core state standards in English-language arts and mathematics, the use of PARCC assessments, the implementation and potential effects of the teacher and principal evaluation systems established … and issues related to the use of certain student data … The task force will consist of 15 members including the commissioner of education, eight members appointed by the governor, three members appointed by the Senate president, and three public members appointed by the speaker of the general assembly, one of whom must be a parent.”
Lennox observed that progress has been made and there has been forward movement, but it has been slow. Several bills have passed in the past couple of months, but they have not been voted on in the state Senate.
“Common Core has never been legislated by state government. It goes completely against the 10th and 14th Amendments of the Constitution, never had any parental consent, nor public input. Most importantly it is not a political football. It is a non-partisan issue. We have always stated during any testimony, it’s not political, don’t make it so,” Lennox affirmed.
The Common Core debate rages on at the national level as well. School districts throughout the U.S. have confronted Common Core issues and initiation at public meetings. Recently, over 150 students in a Seattle, Wash. School District decided to opt out and boycott the Common Core exam altogether.
“I want educational freedom – I want states’ rights. I want the federal government to take a lot of steps back and stay out of education. My ultimate goal is to get rid of the Department of Education. It’s about your children, my children, and further generations of children.” Lennox said. “The test is not a measure of a child’s intelligence. It’s not a measure of what the kids know. It’s how well the teachers are teaching to the test.”