“…to create just these kinds of tests—next-generation assessments aligned to the common core. When the tests are aligned to the common standards, the curriculum will line up as well—and that will unleash powerful market forces in the service of better teaching.” – Bill Gates, 2009 Speech To Natl. Conference of State Legislatures

The goal is to align everything so that students and the money have nowhere to go but Common Core.

Everyone and their brother is cashing in on online learning. There’s good and bad with that. That includes those rushing to get in on apps and courses for the fundamentally flawed and experimental Common Core.

At Apple’s iTunes, there are 23 “free” Common Core courses:  “Your lessons. Your materials. Together on iPad.”

More of the ‘personalized learning’ theme that has been attempted to be promulgated by Common Core advocates.

Of course, these course are tied to PARCC, which multiple states have dumped:

ASCD has debuted the Common Core Resources Project on iTunes U. The Common Core Resources Project is a curation of instructional resources and assessment sample items that will help educators successfully implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and teach effectively using iPads. The project features 23 iTunes U courses that are free to all educators through ASCD on iTunes U and the ASCD EduCore® site. The courses, designed by teacher teams comprised of Apple Distinguished Educators, members of PARCC Educator Leader Cadres, and ASCD teachers, are focused on CCSS for math and English language arts at each grade level from K–12.
– eschoolnews.com, 11/5/14

Whenever something says it’s “free”, I shake my head. Nothing is free.  Parents beware, read the terms of service, privacy policies and related documentation. These apps aren’t made out of the goodness of the creators hearts, they expect a return on investment. You’re being foolish if you think they aren’t using your data somehow.

About ASCD
ASCD stands for “Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development”.

Their website lists 1703 North Beauregard St. Alexandria, VA 22311-1714.

They have “affiliates” in the majority of states, as well as outside of the United States.

Their current sponsors include Microsoft, The College Board and Scantron.  Eschoolnews, the same one I excerpted above, is also on their list of sponsors.

ASCD is a 509(a)(2). Their revenue for 2013 on their 2014 990 form showed $50,645,717. According to that filing, their CEO made a total of $880, 484. No one in their listed paid staff made under six figures.  Interesting to see in that same filing, that ASCD is doing “business development in South and East Asia to the tune of over $64k.
See ASCD’s returns here.

There are two Gates “college ready” grants for ASCD; 2011 $3,024,695 and 2013 $244,733.