#StopCommonCore Battle Rages On!

The fight to stop Common Core, Student data collection and all its tentacles has gathered a vast array of parents, educators and freedom fighting advocates far and wide.  In Oklahoma, Jenni White of Restore Oklahoma Public Education caught on to the overreach of Common Core, and in a near prophetic foresight began her fight to educate and bring awareness practically the moment after the new Republican State School Superintendent Barresi (a wealthy dentist) said her oath.  Almost instantly, Jenni realized that we had NOT gotten what we thought we were campaigning for, and started the push back against Common Core and the erosion of our State’s education system.

Meanwhile, back in Colorado, Kristal Picolet was facing the implementation of Common Core, and her children’s adverse reaction to it.  Thinking it was a  bad “State-led” education system, Kristal researched and found a great school system in Oklahoma, and moved her family to Owasso.  Common Core had not reached Oklahoma yet. Her children were thriving again.

Then the unthinkable happened.  She discovered that Common Core was about to be implemented in Oklahoma.  She sprang into action, a woman on a mission.  She passed out flyers.  She talked to parents who were in lines to pick up her children.  She started a FB page, Owasso against Common Core.  She talked to school personnel.

By the time Jenni and ROPE met her, she had heightened awareness in the Tulsa area.  Praise the Lord!  She came to the Capitol and spoke at an interim study with other parents, educators and Jenni White, who has become known nation-wide for her research and expertise on Common Core and all its tentacles.

Then as Common Core began to be implemented, Stop Common Core groups started springing up all over the state.  Stop Common Core in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education, and in the back yard of the Senate Education Chair, Joy Collins started Bartians (Bartlesville) Against Common Core.

Oklahomans have gathered together for rallies at the State Capitol.  We have had speakers from across the U.S. come for interim studies for our legislators, and we know the legislators by first name.  We have had folks from all over the state jump into the fray.  Long time educators like Barbara McClanahan, Donita Brown, Dr. Everett Piper, President of Wesleyan University, former candidate for State School Supt. Linda Murphy and many others who have done their best to educate groups across the state.  Others speaking out are GOP leaders like Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, Executive Committee Member Holly Gerard, and National Committeewoman Carolyn McLarty who authored the RNC platform measure against Common Core that was adopted unanimously.

So what in the world is the problem?  Why are Governor Fallin and Supt. Barresi bound and determined to shut out parents, educators, grassroots groups and leaders of their own party?   Are we living under an oligarchy in the State of Oklahoma?  Apparently the Governor thinks so.

We have legislation on the last step that we are waiting, waiting, waiting, that – if the committee gets ALL the language just right and IF the Governor signs it – we can truly stop Common Core from being implemented.   But as Kristal points out in her article below, we need the MAJORITY of the people involved in the political process and in the education system.  We need help.  We need people to stop believing the shiny brochures and touchy-feely TV ads.  They LIE!  Get involved!

From Kristal’s article:  “I’ve seen politicians debate their hearts out on the floor explaining the ‘majority minority’ meaning the majority does not believe in common core but the minority rules because the majority is too silent!!”