Standard-Based Education

There is no question that standards-based education will set aside traditional methods of instruction used to educate students since the late 1800s. Neither is there any question that a change is desperately needed. The disturbing question remains: Is standard-based education the best model in existence to replace the century+ old industrial model?
I am anxious as I watch this change approach us like a tsunami that seemingly cannot be stopped. My anxiety is increased when I read such articles as Teacher: One (maddening) day working with the Common Core, in the Washington Post.(http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/teacher-one-madden... commoncore/2012/03/15/gIQA8J4WUS_blog.html). 

Simply because this new system will replace an old worn out system is not sufficient reason that it should be embraced. Are there better models out there, which are being ignored (e.g., Finland, Singapore)? Are we racing headlong into this drastic change, thus possibly putting our students at risk, in a disguised attempt to acquire federal money (i.e., the Race to the Top)?
It is past time that we apply a little braking, not enough to stop, but enough to slow a bit and proceed cautiously. There are many wrinkles in the common cores; wrinkles big enough to wreck an already damaged system.

Where There's Smoke

After a thorough reading of LD 1778 as it was voted out of Committee, I tended to waver in my opposition, but quickly snapped back to my senses.

1)     At first it impressed me that LD 1778 conferred on the Directors (read Commissioners for MSHA) no more or less authority than is conferred upon School Board Directors like myself. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks: Unlike the School Board Directors, each of whom is elected separately by members of the town they are from and serve only one incumbent—the good of the district they serve, -- MSHA Commissioners would be overwhelmingly serving at the will of the current Governor. So much for MSHA being out of the sphere of political influence as was intended at its creation

2)     The Chair of the Commissioners, in being given the vote "when it affects outcome” instead of only “in the event of a tie”, can cause a tie (e.g., 3 pro 4 con the Chair votes pro therefore causing a tie--a different outcome.)

3)     LD 1778 may have been unanimously voted out of committee, but hopefully it still faces serious debate and amendments from both Houses of the Legislature. Hopefully.

4)      If LD 1778 becomes law, MSHA will be TOTALLY under the control of the Governor--MSHA's budget will be open to raids from the Legislature thus killing MSHA's credit and bond ratings --already negatively affected by the current power squabbles. In short, it will give total oversight to the Governor at an extreme cost to the raison d’être of MSHA.

Let the Commissioners face the Advice and Consent of a Senate confirmation process after being nominated. Then, perhaps, allow the State Treasurer to serve as Chair. Otherwise stop playing and have the Governor appoint a MSHA Director whom he can hire and fire whenever he feels the need.  All else in the current proposed legislation is pure smoke.