"If you ask me, that sounds a lot like the Common Core. The CCSS ensure that all students receive the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and life, no matter where they go to school."
Sure, when you make CCSS sound like we will all hold hands and sing anthems to peace, it sounds reasonable. However, when it is "unpacked" (a term I despise, but CCSS folks love), CCSS has not demonstrated that it leads to college and career readiness yet. Nor dies it demonstrate that the standards written by non-educators are those that will lead to college and career readiness.
Even more chilling are the stats to come in the story. 25% of folks do not even know what CCSS is and the percentages are higher among those of color who, purportedly, favor CCSS in high numbers. There is this almost throw-away line: "(A recent report from the Alliance shows that, in fact, several states have overlooked the performance of student racial/ethnic groups in their accountability systems.)" States are NOT overlooking these stats (and I want them to name names and prove this assertion) because NCLB and RttT provided that data be reported from all groups and subgroups.
This needs to stop. Crafting stories that masquerade as journalism while playing fast and loose with facts are wolves in sheep' clothing. They pose a very real danger to the real journalists which right now narrow down to a handful of folks and include John Oliver.
