The media routinely reports that opposition to national Common Core education standards and tests resides within fringe elements of the Right, such as Tea Parties. That’s not the case, says author and middle school science teacher Kris Nielsen. Common Core opposition spans parties and political ideologies, reaching those who don’t like the marriage of big government and big business, and want more local control over schools. Kris is author of Children of the Core, and his brand new book is Uncommon: The Grassroots Movement to Save Our Children and Their Schools. He discusses why teachers are afraid to speak up, grassroots opposition to Common Core from across the political spectrum, and better ways to keep schools accountable without tying everything to one test.
Joy Pullmann is a research fellow on education policy for The Heartland Institute and managing editor of The Federalist, a web magazine on politics, policy, and culture.
