Dr. Dan Nelson |
Because of our visit in 2013, Senator Lindsey Graham introduced Senate Resolution 345 (SR 345), which denounced the federal government’s involvement with the Common Core Standards and infringement upon the rights of individual states and local education agencies. Along with 72 co-sponsors, Representative Jeff Duncan introduced the same resolution in the House (HR 476). I encourage you to read the language of the bill to better understand some of the problems.
In a position paper, the AACS states that it “has serious concerns about the effect that these standards will have on the autonomy of private, Christian schools and their ability to adhere to their faith-based mission.” They give three reasons people ought to be concerned about the Common Core Standards.
1) A national standard leads to a national curriculum and national test.
2) A national standard threatens the autonomy of private, religious, and home schools.
3) A national standard will alter the accreditation standards.
Others are expressing their concern as well. In the July 9, 2014 edition of Education Week, Catherine Gewertz affirms that “in the last year and a half, lawmakers in 22 states have introduced at least 50 bills designed to change the process for adopting academic standards.” In fact, numbers of these states have nullified or barred the adoption of the federal standards.
Senator Graham intends to reintroduce the resolution in the coming months and believes that it will reach the floor for a vote because of the significant backlash from a concerned populace. When it is reintroduced, we will want to contact our representatives and encourage them to support the resolution.
How can we effect the greatest change in our country? The Bible is clear. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).