This is the first Arizona article for those who may not have read it. The second report from Michael Coxon will appear later.
Hey Guys,
I realize we all live in different states but hear me out on this one…
I received this as a part of a mass email today from the state of Arizona. I imagine these will start popping up in many states fairly soon. Arizona renamed CCSS standards to College and Career Readiness as part of a strategy to silence critics. A real class act here. I have to say that when I moved to Arizona from Illinois almost 7 years ago it was like stepping back in a time machine in regards to education practices. This is actually a positive thing in a way because there is area for improvements.
Anyways…
I thought I would send this your way and see if this would be an interesting PLC topic or project. Perhaps we could contribute some ideas and make a lasting change. Education and politics in Arizona in general are pretty goofy but maybe this could be an opportunity to have some influence in our field at the state level.
It is not very often that actual teachers get asked their opinions and maybe this could be the first step of influencing other states when it comes to state standards. Ben, Eric, and Robert, you guys are the gurus for getting to the bottom of the smoke and mirrors of crap like this.
I am at least going to send some information that advocates for acquiring language and comment of some of their language and standards on their DRAFT. I may even go back to some stuff you three wrote on ACTFL and send it to the state of AZ. It looks like they are presenting much of the same things as ACTFL does.
Who knows, maybe they might even ask people like us to consult for the Department of Education? I imagine they already have their BS plans and this invite for feedback is another act of smoke and mirrors but we have already done most of this work in the BATTLE OF ACTFL. (By the way, that battle is an example when the word “EPIC” can be used).
You guys are great!
Mike
Here is the letter with the link to the survey:
January 30, 2015
Dear Education Stakeholder,
The Arizona Department of Education is pleased to announce the opening of a public review process for both Foreign and Native Language Standards. We are now seeking public comment from all interested Arizonans on draft versions of both sets of standards.
The draft standards and more information about the process, including five different ways to submit feedback for each set of standards, can be found at the following link:
http://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/foreign-and-native-languages-standards-public-review/
The public review period is scheduled to close on March 2, 2015, so please be sure to submit your feedback by that date.
Please share this information with any and all interested parties. We would like as many people as possible to provide feedback.
Our hope is to begin the same process for the Arts Standards in February. We will keep you informed of this as well, if approved.
Thank you for your collaboration as we work to develop the best possible standards for Arizona students.
Arizona Department of Education