Another Call to Action. Register Your Written Opposition to Common Core Standards.

I received the attached email today asking for comments on the second draft of common core standards. These comments will be gathered until August 15 and are directed to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) which compiles data information on your child. This email is from the Common Education Data Standards Initiative which promotes the implementation of common core standards, and receives support from pro-common core organizations, such as the Melissa and Bill Gates Foundation and the Department of Education.

The email states: It is the Initiative's hope that the standards will garner wide acceptance and voluntary adoption across all sectors of the education community to increase the ability to share and compare data consistently, allow more informed decision-making at all levels, and promote better educational outcomes for all students through early childhood, K12, postsecondary completion, and the workforce.

Remember, the common core standard initiative will allow intrusive personal data to be gathered on families and students when and if the FERPA regulations are amended. It truly is a cradle to grave program facilitated by the Federal Government. Make your opinion known the role of government is NOT to track citizens. We are against common core standards and would hope you would make your comments against the takeover of state education rights and unfunded mandates. You can read about Common Core standards at this non partisan site devoted to standards issues, Race to the Top mandates and longitudinal data system information:

www.truthinamericaneducation.org.

"Truth in American Education" was started by educational advocates across the country who are not lobbyists for common core standards and have no financial interest in their implementation. This information will give you the FACTS about these standards which are unproven, costly, and unconstitutional.

You may also find an anti-common core manifesto signed by educational advocates and citizens here. We would urge you to add your name to this manifesto to show your support for stopping this nationalization of education.

Here is YOUR chance as a taxpayer, student and/or parent to comment on the implementation of common core standards. YOU are the one paying for educational services, YOU are THE MOST important stakeholder. This invitation should be shared in all school districts to ALL taxpayers. Let your opinion be recorded. After all, it's your money and your child. YOU should have some decision making power in how your tax dollars are being spent.

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Common Education Data Standards Public Comment Period Begins Today MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD The Common Education Data Standards Initiative announced today the release of Draft One of the Version 2 Common Education Data Standards (CEDS). Everyone is encouraged to review this draft of the standards and make comments - the draft can be found here. CEDS supports the development of a common vocabulary. It is a collection of definitions and formats for the most commonly used education data elements. CEDS does not dictate how individual data systems collect, store, and report data. It is the Initiative's hope that the standards will garner wide acceptance and voluntary adoption across all sectors of the education community to increase the ability to share and compare data consistently, allow more informed decision-making at all levels, and promote better educational outcomes for all students through early childhood, K12, postsecondary completion, and the workforce. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is leading the development of CEDS with the guidance, input and participation of a broad range of education stakeholders. Version 1 of CEDS was released in September 2010. The first draft of Version 2, released today, includes additional elements of interest to both K12 and postsecondary stakeholders. The second draft of Version 2 is scheduled to be released for public comment in the fall of 2011 and will include: additions to the K12 and postsecondary elements seen in the first draft; early learning data elements; assessment elements; and changes to the first draft based on this public comment period. GET INVOLVED IN THE CEDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS! Follow up with your staff to be sure they comment on the standards. We have shared this information with your staff - please be sure they go here to review and comment on CEDS. NCES is logging and reviewing every comment made so your voice will be heard. In order for comments to be considered prior to the release of draft 2 of Version 2, they must be submitted by August 15, 2011. Review and improve the policy landscape for CEDS. Are there policies or other barriers that will affect the implementation of CEDS in your state? What opportunities for collaboration are available with your colleagues and other stakeholders to improve the political environment for adoption and implementation of CEDS? Please let us hear from you. Keep up with CEDS' progress. Stay informed about all of the work of the CEDS Initiative by frequently visiting our website. The CEDS Initiative is made up of stakeholders from all levels and sectors of education in a collaborative effort to develop the Common Education Data Standards. The initiative consists of a two-pronged approach: The CEDS Consortium, facilitated by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the State Higher Education School Officers (SHEEO), participates in the development of the standards and is responsible for their advocacy, communications, adoption and implementation. The Consortium is comprised of representatives from CCSSO, SHEEO, Data Quality Campaign (DQC), Schools Interoperability Framework Association (SIFA), Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education (ex officio). The CEDS Stakeholder Group is coordinated by NCES and is responsible for prioritizing the scope of the CEDS based on community feedback, reviewing existing data definitions and standards, publishing draft CEDS elements for comment, incorporating comments and finalizing each version.