Why I Refuse the NYS Tests and Oppose Common Core Curriculum

Written by Theresa Lang-Bruno

If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
~ Albert Einstein

I've had so many people ask me lately if I think my stance on the current state of education and refusing the state tests will truly make any difference, and if I really think anything will change.  I've even had a few say to me, “Why focus on something so small when there are so many bigger issues out there?”

My answer is this: 

The people that control the school system are the same people that will be molding your children's minds.  Think about that.  Our children are in school more waking hours then they are home with their families.  Studies have shown for years that the developing mind of a child is malleable and anxious to learn.  The curriculum going into these young minds will stay with them and shape them into the future adults they will be.  I, for one, want a say in that.  Government control of education has no place in America.  It is leading America towards a Communist government instead of the Democracy it is supposed to be.  It takes away freedom, and very honestly becomes an easy way to brainwash and manipulate the future adults of America.

I do not see it as a small issue.  It is huge.  Literally, the people who have control of our children’s education are the ones that will shape their outlook on life.  They are the ones who will create the exactly what future generations will be like, down to a T.  It will sometimes be subliminally, and sadly many parents won’t even know it’s happening.   

I think that we can make a difference.  I think we can change things.  And I think if you see this as a small issue, it’s going to come back and bite you when you least expect it to.  The more people that stand up and say “NO!"  "This is not right!" "I will not have this!” the more we will see a change.  When that change comes it will lead more people to stand up for their rights and to see that they do have a voice.

I want my children to learn to think for themselves, not how to fit perfectly into a box (which in no way can both prepare them for career and college!).  All 3 of them are so completely different.  They do not belong in a one-size-fits-all box.  They are amazing individuals.  They have been taught to think for themselves and to share their opinions and to question everything.  Yes, everything, even me.  Respectfully and politely with good reasoning and facts, they can even question me.

So here's the deal. 

I am against Common Core. 

I am against State Testing. 

I have made the decision to REFUSE the testing this year, and EVERY year they subject the schools to them, and I do not put much emphasis on the Common Core homework.

This is because I am strongly against the government controlling our schools, implementing programs and telling us that we have no choice but to follow them.  I am against the government and "higher ups" trying to convince us we have no voice.  I am against political leaders black-mailing schools into agreeing with the Common Core implementation with the promise of more funding - what school doesn't need more funding!?!  Schools were never meant to be controlled by the Government.  It is unconstitutional, and, seems to me, close to illegal.  (All I can picture is Hogwart's when Snape was headmaster!)  

Education should have transparency! There is no reason for false threats, wrap-arounds and secrets! All that does is emphasis there is a bigger picture!

I am against teachers being evaluated by how well their students do on these state tests, and in turn teachers feeling the need to teach to a test instead of being able to share their love of knowledge with the children they've always wanted to help. Teachers go to college for their love of children and their desire to make a difference in lives. Our world today is lacking in so much. There are so many children who do not get the love, comfort, peace, etc.that they should receive in their home. Elementary classrooms were that to them. These teachers with big hearts for these beautiful children want to be that. Textbooks can only teach so much. What used to be a full-circle education is coming down to rote and mechanics. When we know due to study after study that play and touch are so important to young children - why would we push for a more confining and rigid atmosphere?  Why would we want more rote and mechanics and less humanity?  Bring teaching back to it's 'core' and we will see everything turn around. What do you want the future America to look like?

There is no way to be both 'career-ready' and 'college-ready'.  This is what these Common Core advocates claim to be able to achieve.  All they will do is simply weed-out the unwanted and cause more drop-outs.

But more than anything I am against "The Man" trying to stomp on the little people.  There are more of us than them!  We need to fight and, as a unit, our voices will  be heard.

Do I think we will be able to abolish Common Core and get our education system back to where it belongs (and I'm not saying it doesn't or didn't need some reform!). 

My answer is YES and more so.  I think when people realize, that with little, small steps, (like sharing information with friends) a big difference will be made.  When our voices raise together and others see it, we will see real changes taking place, and we'll see more people stepping up to stand tall and proud for what is right. 

There is no way to change things you do not like if you do not put an effort in.  There is no sense in complaining about the things you do not like if you refuse to stand tall.  Do not whine to me about how awful something is, if you will not attempt to make a change.

So this is it.  This is my "simple" answer and the reasons I feel so strongly about my decision to refuse.  I wrote this for me, to help me realize exactly how I felt and exactly why, but I'm sharing it with you so you will understand what is really at stake here.  This is huge.  I hope you all take the time to think about what I've said and make an informed decision for yourself and your family.

Written by Theresa Lang-Bruno

https://www.facebook.com/tml4593

Additional Resources:

http://www.nysape.org/refusing-the-test-resources.html

http://www.stopccssinnys.com/Refuse_The_Test.html

Building the Machine movie (40mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjxBClx01jc

Me

I am a strongly opinionated person.  I have a core set of standards and beliefs that will not be shaken.  I feel them in my very soul.  The most important thing in my life is my family.  The 5 of us.  A close second is my extended family, then friends, then work, and so on.  That is the physical world.  My God is all around me, in everything, and because God is everything, by holding my world in high esteem, and working towards being the best I can be, I worship him.  I have learned that everything I will ever go through in life, the good, and the bad, was given to me by God to help my spirit grow and to teach me the lessons my soul craves.  This makes me want to work hard to be an example for my sons.  To teach them by showing them, not by telling them.

We all have days we fail.  We all are hypocrites.  But the real lesson is to learn to not only say I'm sorry, but to change the behavior you're sorry for so it will not happen again.  To try your hardest to be the best you.  In my life, "I'm sorry" means I didn't mean to make you feel that way AND I will try my hardest not to do it again.

There will not be a day that will pass when I will not reflect on how I could have been better, to say "I love you" to those I love and say a prayer of thanksgiving for my blessings.

I am honest to a fault.  I can not lie.  I also am intuitive.  Don't even try lying to me, because chances are you will get caught.  Once you break my trust you will literally need to climb mountains to get it back.  Dishonesty and lies do not belong anywhere in my life.  I am real.  If you don't like that stay away.  I have nothing to hide, and I won't even try.

If I say I'll do something, it will be done.  If you need my help I'll be there in a second.  I rarely feel out of place because I am, rarely put in a place that I, myself, have not chosen to be in.  I dream big, because there is never a reason to not aim as high as possible.  It will always be hard for me to say "I want" or "I need", because there will always be someone that has something more important then what I want or need, and I am grateful for all I have already.

Yes, sometimes I can be bitchy or sarcastic, (That's me trying to get you to see reality, because chances are  you've done something really stupid...) but underneath that I assure you I'm warm and caring.  Usually, I need a little while for that side to show - maybe you're not worth my effort.  Or maybe you stand for everything I do not, in which case you don't belong in my life - and that's okay everyone does not need to be friends - just civil and gracious because we do share this planet.

I tend to study and learn and inform myself about everything that I feel is important.  Watch out if you disagree or have another opinion.  No I won't fight with you, but I would love to discuss it all and hear your side.  Heated debates are awesome.  Please try and change my mind.  Just make sure you can backup what you say.  One more thing, if a heated debate will make you mad or unfriendly, keep it to yourself.  Like I said, I don't want a fight, I want to expand my knowledge.

I believe that everyone was created equally, but due to individuality everyone should be treated fairly, not equally.  Equally means everyone should be exactly the same and do exactly the same.  That's not a place I want to live in.  Fairly means everyone should be treated according to what is morally right.  What is morally right, depends a great deal on the situation and where you are.  Meaning, something morally wrong here in America may be morally right in another country, or vice versa.  It depends on how you were raised.

I think that's all for now.  Thoughts are out. 

It's a new year! 2015!

So as far as New Year's Resolutions go I don't really make them. I've come to realize that it doesn't matter much, that this is our life, and yes, we have choices, but at the same time there is this great predetermined plan that our soul already knows.  That no matter what our situation is, no matter how great, or how awful it is at the present moment, we are exactly where we are meant to be.  Plus, I like to rebel, and since everyone is making one I have to take the lonely man's road and opt out.  Follower I am not.

This has been a year of growth, painful losses,  joyous triumphs, all mixed together in one giant life lesson.  A year in which I've grown so much.  A year in which  my family has become a unit again.  And best of all a year where the love of my life really and truly "sees" us again.

I  won't ever again allow myself to be less than me.  I will never have a reason to be quiet when I know I should speak.  My heart and my mind will be open to all possibilities, and a complete understanding that each and everyone of us have their own path to follow.  

I am a perfectionist by nature.  I have always strived to be the very best at whatever it was I wanted or had to do.  What is the point, after all, of doing anything, if you don't do it right?  I was able to let go of a little of that this year.  To be comfortable "going with the flow" a little more than in the past.  Every time I feel myself start to get anxious or uncomfortable I say "You are where you're meant to be. This to shall pass."  I am finally able to relax.  To breathe.  To be at peace with who I am and where I plan on going. And boy do I have plans!  This is a take-charge year!  Great and beautiful things are coming our way, I can taste it!  ;)

I've learned a lot about people.  Sometimes more than I wanted to know, but true colors always have a way of peaking out and masks can't stay on forever.  It's heart-breaking and sad, but you always get exactly what you put into your life.  Choices made always affect more than just you.  Life's ripples.

The best part of this entire year was seeing my husband get the twinkle in his eyes back, the twinkle I fell in love with so long ago.  He may be mad (embarrassed) at me for saying this, but when you look at him, before he even opens his mouth, you can see it.  He is happy.  He is appreciated. He is beautiful.  Those eyes twinkle again because he sees us, because he has become the man I always knew was there, and most of all because he knows that he's exactly where he wants to be.  He is receiving the respect and admiration he always deserved, as the hard-working and loyal man he always wanted and tried to be. I am so proud of him and so in love with him and that is the very best, most important thing.

So here's to a new year, a continuation and new start all in one!  Bring it 2015, I'm ready!