A reader directed our attention to this curious phenomenon. The Néw York PTA conducted a survey showing that parents in the state are outraged by the botched implementation of the Common Core, yet the NYPTA remains strongly committed to CCSS.
The militant dedication of CCSS enthusiasts says something interesting: in the absence of any concrete evidence for the success of this initiative, why are their hopes so high? Why do they share the same talking points? why are they so certain that CCSS will be successful at making every child college-and-career-ready, in what are their hopes and boundless enthusiasm founded? Could it be Gates funding? Or could it be the triumph of marketing over critical thinking? Of hope over experience?
Says the reader:
“New York PTA gave a survey with results definitively anti-CCSS. But their conclusions are from another world. They still strongly support CCSS.”
Click to access Report_CCLS_Survey_Jan_2014.pdf
The National PTA has received at least $2.5 million from the Gates foundation, some of it specifically designated for promoting CCSS. In this statement, National PTA explained its position with this convoluted logic.
National PTA has not received funding from any association to advocate for the Common Core State Standards.
National PTA applied for and has received grants from several associations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and GE, to help fund its efforts to educate and support parents and educators across the country as the Common Core State Standards are implemented in classrooms.
National PTA is committed to ensuring that parents and educators are knowledgeable about the standards and new assessments and also is committed to supporting them every step of way as states transition to the standards.
Now, there is clear and consistent reasoning!
BUT: Most PTAs do not get Gates funding to promote Common Core. Most PTAs are authentic parent voices.
If you want to save our schools, work with parents, work with your local PTAs.
The road to success depends on collaboration! Teamwork! All hands on deck to stop privatization!
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Crazy… the NY PTA won the Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award!!! Is National PTA that out of touch with its membership???
PTA Outstanding State Advocacy Award
New York State PTA
New York State PTA is being honored with this award for their work to educate families, teachers, and communities about the Common Core State Standards. As a result of New York State PTA’s consistent support of the standards, they were asked to collaborate with the New York Education Commissioner on supporting family understanding of the standards. New York State PTA partnered with the New York State United Teachers to craft the Parent’s Guide to Common Core Learning, released in July 2013. To date, the brochure has been distributed to thousands of individuals around the state. New York State PTA also created the “Hear Our Voice” campaign, a highly successful effort to educate and engage families around the Common Core standards.
http://www.pta.org/advocacy/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3840
Thanks for posting this. Mercedes Schneider had a more sinister read on what resulted from this wonderful dichotomy of hate the test but be ok with CCSS.
She states:
“However, there are those who are helping PARCC survive by promoting testing delay rather than dropping either PARCC or CCSS.
Enter New York, for example. NYC had a terrible experience in August 2013 in which NYC students’ scores on a pre-PARCC test devised by Pearson (a company connected to both PARCC and Smarter Balanced consortia) plummeted due to then-Mayor Bloomberg’s unrealistic setting of cutoff scores, a fiasco that traumatized the city and shook the state. Then, in January 2014, the New York Parent Teacher Association conducts a survey and “finds” that New York “supports” CCSS but not the testing. Given the NYC testing trauma, any CCSS survey item related to testing as “the” problem yields a “fish in a barrel” survey result as “the testing is the problem.”
(By the way, New York PTA is a branch of the corporate-reform-promoting National PTA an organization that accepted Gates money expressly to promote CCSS.)
So, NYPTA supports CCSS “but not testing,” as do both the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and AFT’s Randi Weingarten.
Notice that NYSUT still supports CCSS testing– just “not now”:
In a statement released over the weekend, the board of the NYUST said it would like to see the state make major changes in the Common Core’s implementation process, including putting a moratorium on consequences for students and teachers in connection to the program’s high-stakes tests. Other proposed changes include the release of test questions associated with the Common Core for teachers to utilize for instruction purposes, and more engagement with local parents. [Emphasis added.]
Now the beauty of this arrangement for those wishing to “save” CCSS is that promoting a testing delay actually serves to solidify CCSS permanence. Notice the the language in the above article. The testing delay is provided in order to assist with the CCSS implementation process. Thus, refocusing stakeholder attention on testing delays ensures two years of CCSS.
Furthermore, testing “delay” means that even though the consequences of the tests are delayed, the testing itself still occurs. . .
So, PARCC has managed to save itself by becoming a nonprofit, which means that corporate-reform-minded philanthropies and companies can donate tax-free funds to its upkeep even as the states that “delay” testing . . .
In short, PARCC now has time to get its bearings, gather more data, develop more items, and gain a better corporate reform footing.
Those who push to Save the Core Yet Delay the Tests are inadvertently Saving PARCC by not Killing the Core.
The only way the CCSS tests will die is if CCSS dies. Recall that a criticism of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was that states “dumbed down” their tests. Therefore, anyone promoting CCSS as separate from common assessments either wishes for the useless days of NCLB (separate state tests) or has an ulterior motive to draw attention toward a temporary testing reprieve and away from CCSS’ “living to be tested another day.”
I’m going to go with the latter.”
I am afraid Mercedes is most likely correct.
“NYPTA supports CCSS “but not testing,” as do both the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and AFT’s Randi Weingarten.”
CCSS and the tests are flip sides of the same coin, there is no separating the two. “Thayse go t’gather like peeas un carroutts”.
Duane Swacker: you, sir, are correct-a-mundo.
From the blog of Dr. Mercedes Schneider (aka deutsch29 aka KrazyMathLady), an unimpeachable witness for your statement. A genuine “education reform” insider, Dr. Frederick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute:
[start quote]
In truth, the idea that the Common Core might be a “game-changer” has little to do with the Common Core standards themselves, and everything to do with stuff attached to them, especially the adoption of common tests that make it possible to readily compare schools, programs, districts, and states (of course, the announcement that one state after another is opting out of the two testing consortia is hollowing out this promise).
But the Common Core will only make a dramatic difference if those test results are used to evaluate schools or hire, pay, or fire teachers; or if the effort serves to alter teacher preparation, revamp instructional materials, or compel teachers to change what students read and do. And, of course, advocates have made clear that this is exactly what they have in mind. When they refer to the “Common Core,” they don’t just mean the words on paper–what they really have in mind is this whole complex of changes.
[end quote]
Link: http://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/the-american-enterprise-institute-common-core-and-good-cop/
Now how could anyone argue that in at least this case, Dr. hammer hasn’t hit the Rheephorm nail squarely on the head?
😎
I will take to heart your comment that most PTA’s have not been bought out by Gates money. We have some wonderful people involved with North Carolina PTA but I have been reluctant to approach them since I thought they had a national commitment to CCSS. I will have to see if North Carolina has been bought like New York or not.
Local PTAs should consider pulling their membership and forming PTOs, which are only loosely organized. PTAs send part of the membership fees to the national organization. PTOs don’t.
Agreed. The PTA has been co-opted. The initial intention to develop a broad-based coalition of people working for the improved welfare of children in schools and out. An indicator that this is no longer the case is the number of new organizations that have developed in recent years to organize around such ideas.
Starve the beast. As long as the NYS PTA can say they represent 20,000 members with “one voice” legislators and others will believe that the Common Core has a high degree of local support.
PS
There is an interesting strategy here in interpreting the sentiments against testing as being only sentiments against testing and not against the Common Core standards. They didn’t investigate how much these issues are considered one-in-the same or not in the minds of their respondents.
Also, their response rate seems low and people with children in urban districts seem to be underrepresented.
Interesting comment, Emmy. I am a parent in an urban district and a member of two school PTAs that are affiliated with NYS PTA. I also have been a PTA president in a NYS urban school, although not this year. I did not receive any information about this survey. This is the first I’ve heard of it. Did the State PTA only send info about the survey directly to members for which they have email addresses? Many of our parents do not have email and do not register with the State PTA; they just pay their membership and we send the dues to NYSPTA, but no names. Am curious about how the survey was distributed.
GATES co-opted the National PTA from the very beginiing. That is why they have remained silent on this one. And it’s their children. I don’t GET IT at all. Was the National PTA dazzled by his empty words or his money…maybe both. I am so sorry that the National PTA bought into this baloney.
I bet they did distribute it by email, Susan. Mail surveys take more effort and expertise than they probably have in-house.
An excellent suggestion!
Thanks for explaining the difference. My kids’ schools have PTO’s & I never really understood the name difference.
There is the National PTA and then there are the PTA’s at your individual school. National PTA received Gated $$ to promoste CC, they can issue statements, press releases, take out ads, promote CC on their webpage and in copmmercials. Your average School PTA does not see this money, they are doing fundraisers just like they always have to put mulch in the playgound and to have a Father Daughter dame (opps sorry, Girl’s Choice event lol).
The survey represents the actual real voices of PTA members. This opinion is different from that of the National Organization. But the National PTA is in charge of the “message”, the individual school PTA’s are not, so guess what.
I have been at different schools with a PTA and a PTO. They are virtually the same except the PTO is it’s own organization and does not report to any National Organization. You register with your State’s AG office as an organization, set up by-laws (templates all available online). PTO’s do all the same things, fundraising, school events, parent involvement. You can be one and not have to change what your group is about and what you do. It is totally feasable and IMO a good way to send a message that the PTA National Organization is not representing it’s members. It’s easy to do and there are links online how to do it.
Sorry for my spelling errors! I meant dance not dame.
Most parents don’t read this blog and have absolutely no idea what the objections to Common Core are. I know a woman who runs a tutoring company that helps kids with these materials. She sincerely wants to help. The parents are crazed and working, both, full time, they are desperate and unaware of any of these countervailing ideas. This is an immigrant community, parents may have advanced degrees but little facility with English. Services to help their kids are limited and difficult to access. If you think they can stop for a moment to think these ideas through, then you need to come out here to talk to them. It’s not every neighborhood that has the time to read these numerous posts or think these concepts through. It’s a very different world out here in Queens, NY. You don’t face desperation like these parents do. So, be snappy and paranoid or accept that some places, like my neighborhood, are fighting completely different battles.
Thank you for your insights. Missouri is just getting into the testing phase, where as best we can tell SBAC is part of the MAP. I have opted my son out of all testing. Every test SBAC successfully administers, is proof that gets them closer to validity and reliability. If enough students were “pencils down” or just didn’t show up that day, would it help?
Cynthia,
How did you opt our your son? It’s my understanding that here in MO there is no opt out provision. Inquiring minds are eager to know! I hope you know something I don’t about opting out. Thanks in advance!
Duane
“ National PTA is committed to ensuring that parents and educators are knowledgeable about the standards and new assessments and also is committed to supporting them every step of way as states transition to the standards.”
Along with the 2.5 million, the national PTA will be passing CC propaganda on to State PTAs which in turn will pass it on to locals. It is our duty as Educators to attend local PTA meetings and dispute any propaganda sent to local PTAs. We must inform the parents of the true nature of CC with OUR experience and knowledge of CC.
Time to start a new parent-teacher organization. One that really advocates for kids. PTK = Parents Teachers for Kids
The National PTA has probably been advised to claim that they educate, rather than advocate, the same way that TFA, StudentsFirst, ALEC and other “non-profits” do even though they have a definite political agenda. This is splitting hairs but it’s done by these organizations in order to continue to receive foundation funding while maintaining their tax exempt status as 401(c)3s, since non-profits are limited by the amount of involvement in politics they can have.
While many of us recognize that education is a hot political issue, most non-profits involved in corporate education “reform” seem to get away with it because they are funded by both sides of the aisle, since the two major parties are on virtually the same page regarding education. ALEC is a huge elephant in the room though. Either way, I think IRS is culpable for looking the other way and allowing it to continue, however covertly.
Bruce Baker’s latest blog is exactly what I was looking for after reading about PTA advocacy in North Carolina:
From NC PTA Advocacy priorities:
School Funding
In North Carolina, the state government is required by law to make sure that every school system has sufficient funds to provide every child with the opportunity for a sound basic education as defined by the North Carolina Supreme Court and the laws of the state. Local governments also provide funds, but the state is required to make sure the total amount of funding is adequate.
North Carolina PTA will encourage and support initiatives at all levels of government—local, state and federal —to assure that every school system has sufficient funding to provide every child with an opportunity for a sound basic education. That includes sufficient funding for qualified teachers in all classrooms and skilled administrators in all schools.
But Bruce found that in New York – shocking- it costs money to improve test results- not less!
http://schoolfinance101.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/friday-finance-101-ny-states-formula-for-failure/
I love reading stats so I read the whole article but for those of you who like to read the main point here it is from Bruce. . .
“Raising outcome standards while cutting funding is a formula for failure.”
This issue sounds an awful lot like the dichotomy between the national teachers’ unions, which have also been bought by Gates and don’t speak for the locals or teachers in the trenches.
In both cases, don’t look for national leadership. Take the bull by the horns and address education matters locally, in partnership with the parents in your community, as teachers and parents have been doing in places like Chicago. It’s an uphill battle for sure, but the real battle grounds are a lot closer to home than Gates, Duncan et al. would like everyone to believe.
Our District PTA voice regarding Common Core is, unfortunately, being controlled by a person who was “assigned” to manage their Facebook page. I met him at a Common Core public meeting conducted by a local School Board Member some months ago. He controls what appears on the Facebook page and will not allow the words Common Core to appear there. I have assisted a school board member in conducting open meetings for his constituency but his announcements must not contain Common Core on the agenda or they will not be published on the Facebook Page. Additionally, several PTAs in the district have attempted to publish notices of the School Board Members meetings on their Newsletter and in at least one case, the principal would not allow it. In light of the fact that the School Board has ultimate control of approving hiring decisions, that is an interesting stance. This puts school board members in a position they do not want to be in. I have myself attended PTA meetings at the school that my grandson attends and I give updates on current education actions. They listen willingly but I don’t get any response. This is something that parents will have to pick up and run with if they are serious about having a voice. I live in St. Tammany, Louisiana, the highest performing Large district in the state. Our School Board passed a resolution asking for the dissolution of CCSS and PARCC.
Wonder which specific PTA members wrote the conclusions? And what are their affiliations? Certainly not looking out for kids, but rather acceptance into the PTA world.
Here in Seattle things are really messy with the local and state PTAs having connections with Stand For Children and then Gates… many of us have spent time calling all of this out….
It’s a good thing that Dora Taylor has broad shoulders, a thick skin and a lot of determination to fight education reform: http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/i-was-kicked-off-the-washington-state-pta-listserv/
“Could it be Gates funding? Or could it be the triumph of marketing over critical thinking? Of hope over experience?”
All of the above. Funding provides the marketing to create the blindspots of hope
to disconnect critical thinking from experience.
From under my “Bridge”, everything seems to be a matter of marketing. Marketing
based on creating “Blindspots” rather than being based on truth.
If a large percentage of people can not benefit from a “System” while adhering to its
process, they stop believing in either the process or the system. They are “Ripe” for
a change.
Education HAS been marketed, as a means to provide a “Better” tomorrow. The
“Better Tomorrow” has always intersected with the Economy. The Economy is said
to be based upon 70% consumer decisions (Consumption). OUR consumer decisions
for either Foreign or Domestic products determine WHERE the Jobs (Economy)
exists.
It’s the ECONOMY Martha, NOT the inventory of thought (Education). Converting
thought into food depends on the ECONOMY, NOT on the inventory of thought.
We have the Economy we bought into. We also “Test” high in Education.
Marketing, Critical Thinking, Blindspots???
it goes further than us just buying into the ECONOMY… we’ve bought into the entire pyramidic social structure of power and control hierarchies…