Louis C.K. opened the floodgates of debate about Common Core. Before he started tweeting his complaints, Arne Duncan and Bill Gates had pre-empted the national media coverage. Arne insisted that only crazy people questioned the CC, and Bill paid off every education organization to sing its praises. Who knew that the nation could be so easily bribed and intimidated?
The story of Common Core is reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’s classic Yertle the Turtle. Arne and Bill are Yertle. Louis C.K. Is Mack, the turtle at the bottom of the stack. Mack burped, and the whole pile of turtles tumbled down.
Louis C.K. has been interviewed everywhere , it seems, and he tells a father’s plain truths.
Even Esquire told his story.
Ben Collins of Esquire said that so many kids were sad because of the pressure of testing.
But then he noticed that Louis revealed a powerful idea. You can say no. You don’t have to do what they tell you. You can get up and walk out. They don’t own you or your child. You are free to say no.
“In an America where schooling is becoming nothing more than an attrition test, it’s probably the most important lesson Louie has ever given to kids and adults alike:
“You can just leave. You can just stop.
“If a system or person with no regard for you is sucking the fun out of learning — if that system is making it harder for you to go to school every day — we should be working to fix the system.
“If the system is making most children cry, that’s not the fault of the student. It’s not the fault of the teacher, either. It’s the fault of a system that tries to accommodate everyone, but winds up helping no one.”
Who created this stupid soul-destroying system? Look to D.C. There you will see some people who don’t care about children or learning. They did it. They should be in stocks on the Capitol steps, all of them.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Or look to Seattle, where we will be gathering on June 26 to protest the mighty Gates Foundation, which funded the Common Core from the start.
Anthony,
Is there a site or somewhere where I can find out more information about this protest? I’m planning on being there but I have no idea what to expect/do, etc. . . .
Yes, the political cronies and their billionaire paymasters should be put in stocks for tormenting and abusing children, and for looting the taxes we want spent on the public sector, not on charters. These same cronies and billionaires spare their own children from abuse, sending them to lavish private schools which do not force tests down the children’s’ throats. I opted-out my son from the 4th grade tests at his school.
You have to unsubscribe yourself. It’s easy.
Time for some Red Hot Chili Peppers!
Hi!
“You can just leave. You can just stop”.
The take-away from the Louis C.K.
Schools have become factories. And just as in factories workers, students have the right to put down their tools and walk away from their work benches (desks).
The simplicity and profundity of this thought is liberating. Students and parents throw off the shackles of being Common Core and Standardized testing slaves and become agents of change.
Can you imagine the effect in a school if students said ‘no’ to testing and exited their classrooms? How about parents entering class rooms and pulling their child from the test? How about students sitting at their desks and initiating their own ‘sit down strike’ and refusing to fill out the bubble sheets?
As I have written earlier, we are involved in a long term struggle. Perhaps we will see a a new stage of direct action in that struggle?
“You can just leave. You can just stop.”
I don’t know what this means. What can I leave? What can I stop?
Read johna’s comments above. Opt your kids out. Get together w/other parents–join groups (if you are afraid)–there are many,many out there who do not want this testing/test prep in their schools. Go to the United Opt Out website (although the powers that be tried to have it erased, they’re baaaack!) & find out how to Opt Out.
Yes, we CAN…and we WILL.
Thanks, “Retiredbutmissthekids”. I thought that my post was clearly written, but …. Under Ed Reform, schools have become factories. Teachers have become coerced workers. Students have become cogs, unwilling participants in a dehumanizing system. As occurred at the height of the unionization movement, workers stopped participating in the factory work. Parents can opt out their kids and students, teachers and parents can begin to empty the classrooms. It will be the next and natural t step in the struggle and the factory owners will then pay attention. They will have no choice. Just look what’s happening in Chicago, with the CTU and Seattle. There has been progressive movement in NYC, even if BDB did a horribly inept job re Charter Schools. Even the perpetual pessimist is me dares to see the beginnings of some light.
Sounds like some school choice enthusiasts here! Cool.
Spoken like a true edudeformer, eh!
PLEASE STOP SENDING US YOUR PLEASE STOP SENDING ME E-MAILS. TAKE ME OFF THE MAILING LIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POSTINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Who created this stupid soul-destroying system? Look to D.C. There you will see some people who don’t care about children or learning. They did it. They should be in stocks on the Capitol steps, all of them.”
I love this. This is exactly what I imagine in my mind’s eye when I want to relieve some pressure and find a reason to smile.
Has Louis C.K. struck a nerve?
You betcha.
The horrible TNTP posted Sasha Growick, a teacher at a Success Academy Charter School, refutation to Louis C.K.’s anti-CC comments. In a tone of sorrowful regret that someone would deny their kids this extraordinary form of education, she again links her argument to the Civil Rights’ and, insufferably enough, the Women’s Rights movements.
Everyone should read it to see the strategy the Corporate Reformers are using to refute the ever increasing skepticism towards their Grand Designs..
http://tntp.org/blog/post/a-teachers-words-to-louis-c.k
…And then Michelle Rhee reprinted it two days ago on her Students First site:.
http://www.studentsfirst.org/blog/entry/a-teachers-words-to-louis-c.k
I think it is instructive to read it because this patronizing, self-aggrandizing piece of agitprop actually needs to get MORE publicity because it is so poorly written. You can see Gates himself re-tweeted the post to give it more viewings to the true believers, but everything in it is so easily refuted.
It’s impossible to write a response on the TNTP site or Michelle Rhee’s (no surprise) but here is what I would say if I could:
OMG.
Could someone pack in more cliches and overwrought bathos in a persuasive essay?
Does this writing pass as critical analysis of Common Core? Is this the sort of in-depth thinking that Growick proposes to give ALL school kids? Is this the lame level of discourse TNTP and Michelle Rhee offers our kids, particularly low-income children in the most dire situations?
I am embarrassed by teachers like Growick for constructing such a simplistic response. PLEASE PLEASE publish this nationally so others can read this. I hope this gets a WIDE distribution if this is the BEST argument you can come up with.
If Louis C.K. just read this verbatim in his comedy routine, he would destroy the straw man arguments. Also, he would definitely appreciate the over-the-top patronizing wording of this piece that not only demeans his intelligence, but any parent who actually looks at Common Core (and their zombie cheerleaders) and has a moment of doubt.
But fear not, Ms. Growick.
Start again. Rethink your thesis. It’s not difficult to construct a smarter essay. Don’t throw in the towel. You can do it. If a little tears are necessary to write something cogent, then crying won’t break you. One day you will look back on a thoughtful essay and prove that our daughters are capable of intelligent reasoning without resorting to hackneyed boosterism as a bought shill for your absurd organization.
Higher expectations, indeed.
Try it for yourself.
Sincerely,
Geronimo, NBCT
Good response.
“throw fuel on the firefights”
How’s that making girls look smarter.
Would the NPE &/or S.O.S. contact Louie CK and Matt Damon and have them join forces to do some PSAs &/or appearances at some of these protest rallies (or, if S.O.S. is having another D.C. March could they be recruited? (And have them bring their celeb friends {which includes, of course, Matt’s mom! I–sorry–I forgot–D.o.Ed., et.al. wouldn’t listen to her…she’s only a teacher.}). Anyway, celebs and the rich are the only people that Arne listens to…remember when he wouldn’t meet (or even come out) the leaders/participants in the S.O.S. march several years ago? However, he was shaking in his boots at the appearance of Matt Damon, & met with him right quick (attempting to dissuade the magnificent Matt)!
Leaders of these education groups–please set this up–we’ll also recruit more parents & others out there who don’t read this & other blogs and who don’t really understand the harm that is being done in their schools. They might not know Diane or Anthony, but people do watch TV and see movies and familiarize themselves with actors and characters. Thus, a powerful place to grow our movement.
why don’t you click Unsubscribe at the bottom of the message–takes about 3 seconds to find and do
This. Except probably less than one second.
Mr. Louis has not opted his kid out of testing, only parents doing this will make change,
he is a side show with no agenda.
In her new book, Indian author, Arundahti Roy, says:
“Armed with their billions, these NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations)
have waded into the world, turning potential revolutionaries into salaried activists, funding artists, intellectuals, and film makers, gently luring them away from radical confrontation, ushering them in the direction of multiculturalism, gender equity, community development- the discourse couched in the language of identity politics and human rights.”
Beautifully said! Those who force this kind of abuse on children do deserve to be put in the stocks! What will “ed reformers” do next… put children in prison for refusing to take a torturous series of tests for corporate profits????
http://prisondivestment.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/gatesprivateprison/
And why not? Why not have the children sit and stare in solitary in one of Bill’ s for profit prisons? A perfect world through the distorted lens of a megalomaniac.
As noted, Michelle Rhee has attacked Louis C.K.
He ought to respond with tape over his mouth.
I would like to know what Louis CK ‘s tweet #s were before
this incident & after. I bet his #s are UP & I bet they are mostly
teachers (as it should be).
“In an America where schooling is becoming nothing more than an attrition test…”
Eyes wide open. Shock of recognition. As a teacher, I feel the truth of it. Where else does this culture of “zero tolerance” lead but to the attrition game…?
“We gave them the chance to be educated. It’s not our fault…
— that they came to school hungry
— that they had behavioral issues
— that they wouldn’t (couldn’t) turn in homework
— that they were English Language Learners
— that they were poor
— that they wouldn’t wear the proscribed uniforms
— that they won’t use the hand signal for the restroom
— that they won’t walk single-file in the hallways
One inner-city school I taught at enrolled 3,000 freshman. How many made it to graduation, do you think? 300. Step right up! Make it to graduation and win a prize! Dropped out? Not our problem! Aged out of the system? Not our problem! You’re society’s problem now.
“It’s not the fault of the teacher, either.”
Beg to differ, but yes it is the fault of the teachers who, even though they know these malpractices will harm students, give and proctor the tests without knowing what is on the tests. GAGAers one and all.
Well said. In fact, I proctored the ELA test this year for two students with disabilities. The first day, they they managed, even though they didn’t understand the items (despite test modifications). The second day, they managed, even thought they still exhibited confusion. The third day was the charm. One of the students got 15 minutes into the test and broke down crying. Lucky I had tissues. After a few minutes, the child was able to go back to the assessment and still finished it in record time (mostly because she didn’t know any of the answers) We were required to keep them there for the duration of the assessment (double time) whether they were done or not, with the test book in front of them. In essence, the torture continued even after they were clearly all finished. The powers that be made it crystal clear to all proctors of disabled students that this was the only acceptable procedure. This was double time. These children do take a great deal of time in class to complete work, so they were given this modification. On the math test, this meant that they needed to stay for 140 minutes the first day, 140 minutes the next day and 180 minutes the third day. Now of course, the school will look at reducing the testing time in the modifications, but in reality, we simply don’t know how to estimate with common core assessments. They don’t have much to do with actual classroom functioning. The item analysis reveals( will not disclose WHAT was on the assessment, simply from walking about room) that the the math test itself was so very narrow in scope that it would be useless to use as a diagnostic tool to improve their education, nor does it really address the scope of curriculum in the grade, or prior skills as so many tests in the past have done.
I am not really sure how the test writers actually come up with these items, or how they are normed. I did diagnostic testing for years and years on a clinical team and I feel there is a total disconnect between what is happening in the classroom ( what actually must be covered for the WHOLE year) and the assessment. If this year’s tests are any indication, the actual test “sets up” both student and teacher to fail abysmally.
I really do know the answer to this whole problem. Common Core needs to be scrapped, actual curriculum writers with deep knowledge need to be hired to WRITE the scope and sequence on the state/city level, and then and ONLY then should deeply normed tests be developed, AGAIN in concert with teachers who have deep knowledge about the material they teach.
Just my nickel’s worth of thought.