** “In an American society that values originality and creativity, it makes no sense to subject millions of students to ‘one-size-fits-all’ testing that inspires uniform skills and conformity.” ~ Katrin Park, former United Nations staff member
** “Out of context, test score numbers are not telling us anything meaningful about how well American students really perform. The first international standardized test was given in 1964, and America placed 11th out of 12 countries. What has happened since 1964, when those first students did so poorly? America has led the world in Nobel prizes and produces about a third of the world’s science research with 5% of the world’s population. If that is abysmal, we should revel in it.” ~ Hank Campbell, author & founder of Science 2.0
** “As a sometime warrior in the war of words over the Common Core State Standards, I have been neutral about the need for national standards, but highly critical of their current composition, seeing it as deeply flawed and ineffectual for its stated purposes. Nevertheless, I have come to realize that nothing I or anyone else may say will make the standards go away. They are firmly entrenched in all but four states, and even teachers who endured the No Child Left Behind Act are resigned to this new swing of the pendulum and changing their classroom practices. I believe the best thing that standards critics can do right now is work to make them better. …” ~ Joanne Yatvin, educator & author
** “”Putting a Price Tag on the Common Core,” a recent report by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, estimates the total cost of implementation between $3 billion and $12.1 billion, depending on which approaches states use. Yet, as someone who has visited hundreds of schools around the country, here’s the reality as I see it: New standards, tests, and training won’t necessarily deliver results. What guarantees great teaching and learning is a great teacher.” ~ Mary Amato, author, former teachers & education reporter