END COMMON CORE MASSACHUSETTS LAUNCHES TODAY

Contact Person – Donna Colorio 508-450-0104 dcolorio@gmail.com

END COMMON CORE MASSACHUSETTS LAUNCHES BALLOT QUESTION

A group of citizen activists and legislators opposed to Common Core’s standards and PARCC tests launched an initiative ballot question campaign today to restore the state’s pre-Common Core educational standards from 2010.

“Massachusetts is at an educational crossroads. In 2007, Massachusetts became the highest-achieving state in the country because of the academic quality of our state standards, the state tests based on them (MCAS), and the state’s teacher licensing regulations and tests,” said Sandra Stotsky, former Senior Associate Commissioner in Massachusetts’ Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). “With the implementation of Common Core’s standards after their adoption by in 2010, we have started to decline in reading achievement. We need to stop the federal push for mediocre standards for all.”

Donna Colorio, Worcester School Committee member from 2011 to 2013, and founder and leader of the advocacy group, Common Core Forum, will chair the End Common Core Massachusetts ballot question. On July 21, 2010, twelve members of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to accept federal dollars and extensively change Massachusetts’ Educational Standards into what is now called Common Core Educational Standards.

“The adoption of the Common Core federal standards was wrong,” says Colorio. “I think voters should have a choice in whether to continue with these untested educational standards. Our ballot question’s goal is to give the people of Massachusetts a voice in that educational decision. We can keep our public schools #1 by returning to the 2010 education standards of Massachusetts, or we can participate in these very unproven Common Core Education Standards, which are, at best, a race to the middle. It should be OUR CHOICE.”

Representative Donnie Berthiaume from the 5th Worcester District has been dealing with mathematical equations in his construction design business for years. Yet, Rep. Berthiaume says, “as I try to help my 5th grader with his homework (especially math), I find it next to impossible. As my son’s frustration with Common Core math continues, his desire to excel in math declines. As a parent with exceptional mathematical aptitude, I believe this CC math needs to go to way of the dinosaur.”

State Senator Ryan Fattman states “While going door to door throughout my last campaign, I heard from both parents and teachers across the political spectrum concerned with the proposed changes to our education system. Massachusetts is a unique state, and an expensive implementation of a potentially lower federal standard really requires a statewide discussion. This End Common Core Massachusetts ballot question provides us with that opportunity, and I look forward to continuing that conversation.”