CCTA Public Service Announcement

January 14, 2014

CCTA to get Common Core Update 

Lindalyn Kakadelis, a former teacher, former member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education, Director of the North Carolina Education Alliance (NCEA), TV and radio personality, and published author, who has also handled outreach for the John Lock Foundation and done work for Civitas will speak about Common Core educational standards at the Coastal Taxpayers Association's (CCTA) public meeting on Tuesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at the Stanly Hall Ballroom in New Bern. North Carolina adopted the Common Core standards for kindergarten through 12^th grade, but the General Assembly currently has a joint House and Senate committee studying the pros, cons, and costs of implementing Common Core. Michael Speciale who represents many citizens in the greater New Bern area is a member of the study committee.

Questions and controversy have surrounded Common Core from the beginning. Is it a "state led" or federal program, and did "crony capitalists" like Microsoft pull a fast one? Does it represent high standards as some suggest, or will it dumb down North Carolina students as others aver? Is the kindergarten through 3^rd grade testing too hard and will it cause young children to dread school? Are high school standards so low as to make it difficult for graduates to get into good colleges and universities? What about the requirements for student data collection; are they something parents should fear, or are they harmless? Claims and counterclaims swirl. Lindalyn Kakadelis can provide the background that will enable parents, educational professionals, and concerned taxpaying citizens decide for themselves. Mrs. Kakadelis will also bring us up to date on the latest developments since Common Core is very much in a state of flux as people with strong opposing views continue to try to influence its outcome in North Carolina and beyond.

Mrs. Kakadelis' presentation will be made in the historic and lovely Stanly Hall Ballroom. An elevator entrance to the second floor ballroom is at 249 Craven Street. A stair entrance is at 305 Pollack Street.  

                                                                                                                     

Info provided by:

Raynor James, PR Chair, Coastal Carolina Taxpayers