Category Archives: Common Core

#DM7 Article: NC’s Common Core Commission

Posted on September 7, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

This is a repost of my weekly article at DaTechGuy: The NC Common Core Commission

By A.P. Dillon

Last week, I have an update on the status of replacing Common Core in North Carolina. To recap, from the looks of it, North Carolina’s Governor and State Superintendent are counting on the State Board of Education to shrug off the Academic Standards Review Commission’s (ASRC) work and go with a rebrand. I’d like to hope I’m wrong in that assessment, but that seems to be what they’re saying.

KEEP READING… Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Academic Standards Review Commission, Common Core, June Atkinson, NC DPI, NC State Standards, Pat McCrory | Tagged , | 1 Comment

NCSPIN Covers NC Homeschool Explosion

Posted on September 6, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

At the tail end of NCSPIN episode #827, they covered the explosion in homeschool rates in North Carolina.

At about 23:44, the host makes mention that a lot of the feedback from those pulling their kids to homeschool was due to Common Core, then segues into the NC General Assembly ordering a “re-working” of Common Core. The host asks former Lt. Governor Wicker if the changes to the Common Core will bring those parents and students back into the public school system. Wicker said no, ‘more and more find it an attractive option’. Wicker also did an apologist dance for the Core, saying it was ‘misunderstood’.

Watch: Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Common Core, Homeschool, Video | Tagged , | 4 Comments

NC Paying Out $1.5 Million Over 3 Years To 2 Contractors For Race To Top Monitoring

Posted on September 6, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Two contracts will pay out over $1.5 million to two contractors for monitoring the Race To The Top grant, which was funded by ARRA (the Stimulus). The scope of work includes tracking of jobs created by the grant and professional development – specifically Common Core.

“Each RESA will plan, coordinate and facilitate regional trainings on the new essential standards and Common Core with regional PD leaders. NCDPI will provide facilitators for all sessions, unless otherwise noted.”

Each pay out is $762k over three years at $254k a year. The contracts are EP4821955 Northeast Region Service Alliance (Dr. Holleman) and EP4823540 Sandhills Region Service Alliance (Jim Simeon).

See the contracts and amendments here. Continue reading →

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Common Core Aligned: Tabtor

Posted on September 5, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Common Core Aligned…
“…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.

Last time, we we looked at Khan Academy. Today we look at Tabtor. You’ve likely seen ads for them on Facebook.

KEEP READING Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Common Core | Tagged | 1 Comment

NC State Superintendent Spins Changing Testing Scoring System (Video)

Posted on September 5, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Spin, June. Spin.

Atkinson says it was to make information more “granular”. Come again?
Tammy Howard reiterates and says the system gives more information to teachers. Really?

Both Atkinson and Howard manage to not to mention Common Core a single time. Common Core is supposed to be high reaching, but yet we have DPI moving the goal posts.

Folks, Common Core is the reason they changed the scoring after last year’s disastrous EOC’s. By changing the scoring system, no one can compare them to last year and that is the whole point — not more “granular” information.

Watch:

VIDEO

Hit the post, read more and see the video. Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Common Core, EDUCATION, June Atkinson, NC DPI, Testing | Tagged | 2 Comments

See The 16 Wake County Elementary Schools Participating in Duke Program Pilot

Posted on September 5, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Sixteen Wake County Elementary schools will be participating in a Duke University tied pilot program called “Nurturing For A Bright Future”. This program is related to the American Association for Gifted Children at Duke University and is part of the ‘Bright Idea 2’ program.

The sixteen elementary schools are:

Baileywick
Banks Road
Brentwood
Creech Road
Forest Pines
Forestville Road
Green
Holly Ridge
Knightdale
Rolesville
Wakefield
Walnut Creek
Weatherstone
Wendell
Wilburn
Wildwood
Through a Freedom of Information request, I was able to obtain details on the program. Part of the response I received from Wake County Schools included the following details:

KEEP READING – SEE THE FOIA REQUESTED DOCUMENTS Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Common Core, EDUCATION | Tagged , | Comments Off on See The 16 Wake County Elementary Schools Participating in Duke Program Pilot