Dear Fellow Washingtonian
I know most of you have been very concerned about the current big government takeovers. The constitutional rights of states have been abused for decades, but the present administration has set new highs in trying to control everything they can get their hands on.
With this in mind, every Washingtonian should oppose the “Race to the Top.” This program is nothing more than a Trojan horse which is being used to secure a federal takeover of our state’s education system.
Race to the Top comes with massive federal strings attached. These strings include, among other things, the automatic acceptance of national math standards and assessments. Once our state signs on to these standards we will be owned by the federal government.
Race to the Top gives “one-time money,” but takes over permanent control of our education system by forcing us to use standards that, like everything else the under the current administration, are being created in total secrecy behind closed doors. Not only are the standards being created in total secrecy, Sec of Education Arne Duncan wouldn’t even release the names of the people who are involved in this process. Fortunately, leaks allowed us to find out that there are no mathematicians involved, and those who are involved are the same people who have been pushing fuzzy math standards all over this country.
I am an expert in math standards and have examined the preliminary release of these new national standards. Every indication is that they are a step backwards from the math standards we just adopted. These standards will be followed by a mandatory national assessment. People outside of the education world many not understand, but whoever controls the assessment, controls the whole system. Ultimately, assessments determine what teachers will teach. No matter what your political persuasion, you have to ask yourself this question: Do I want federal bureaucrats deciding what will be taught in my child’s classroom?
I urge you to watch this video of Texas Gov Rick Perry rejecting the “Race to the Top.” Everything he says about Texas applies directly to the state of Washington. Please contact your legislator and let them know that you oppose turning over our state’s education system to the federal government and they should oppose any legislation that moves us towards joining the “Race to the Top.”
Bob Dean
Math Chair
Evergreen High School
State Board of Education
Math Advisory Panel Member
OSPI Standards Revision Team
