A Red X on Common Core and the Role of School Boards in Correcting It

By Ron Gentry

The recent incident in Rialto schools merits a huge X for huge error. School Board members have an important responsibility in correcting this mistake and in keeping the good aspects of Common Core from going astray.

This applies to the local, county and state boards of education here in California. Local school boards have a great responsibility in holding those who actually develop and administer the implementation of curriculum to young minds accountable, since they oversee what the vast majority of students are taught.

School board members are not supposed to micromanage, but they do need to be active and not passive in the roles which they do have. Less powerful boards like the County and State boards of education also have this same responsibility.

"No Child Left Behind" was about the basics - reading, writing and mathematics, but somehow got off base, even if it did raise test scores. The "Common Core Standards" are not merely a new way of testing students. They are about these same basics and more importantly, teaching students of all ages to THINK.

We cannot shun the task whether we are school members, administrators, teachers, parents, or everyday citizens. The futures of our children, our communities and our nation depend on this. I suppose what we need is a band of angels to come down and help us accomplish what needs to be done. The real miracle that can happen is if we are able to do this ourselves.