Common Core Controversy

             Common Core State Standards "are academic benchmarks that outline the skills a student should have at each level" and are embraced by President Obama and his administration. Common Core claims the program embraces new ways of thinking while reducing emphasis on memorization. Many states  adopted the new standards during the Recession after states realized they would receive millions of dollars in federal money. The new standards coincide with new tests under No Child Left Behind, an education law passed during George W. Bush's administration.
            Teachers, parents and students are divided on the effectiveness of Common Core. Many conservatives believe the standards are ineffective while some students and teachers see benefits in the new standards. Some states have seen drops in student scores, but teachers argue it will take students time to get used to the new system. Most parents do not like Common Core because their children do not understand the material and end up failing a grade. Diane Ravitch, research professor of education at New York State University, argues students are not failing because "students are dumb, but because the state chose to set an unrealistic passing mark". Ravitch adds that teachers have not received proper training to teach Common Core and public officials need to listen to parents. 
           My sister is in high school and began learning Common Core standards last year. She is an excellent student but finds the new standards incredibly confusing. She thought the "old ways" of teaching were more efficient than the new norms and does not understand why the school district changed it's curriculum. In Common Core, there is a new process that students must follow to show work for math problems and my sister finds it incredibly tedious and "a waste of time". 
          Many other people support my sister's opinions and believe Common Core is ineffective because children learn differently and teachers just "teach to teach the test". Students do not really learn the material because teachers are focused in covering the material that will be on the tests. Based on evidence from my teachers and my personal experience, I believe Common Core is a mistake. 

The Children of Presidents Are Off Limits

           Last week, President Obama pardoned a turkey, preventing the bird from being eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. However, at this traditional event most of the attention was on Sasha and Malia Obama, the daughters of the president. The girls understandably seemed bored and embarrassed by their dad's jokes. In fact, the girls' expressions and demeanor were discussed in an article written by Buzzfeed titled, "The Obama Girls Could Not Be More Bored by Their Dad's Jokes". Teenagers are notorious for being embarrassed by their parents and the media capitalized on the fact that the president's daughters are just like any other teenagers in America.

           Republican congressional aide Elizabeth Lauten disagreed with the way Sasha and Malia presented themselves, so she wrote a scathing letter on her Facebook page. In the letter, Lauten criticized the Obama girls on their seeming lack of interest in the event and poor choice in clothes. In her post, she tells the Obama girls to “...rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar”. Lauten's comments went viral and caused extreme backlash from the American public. In response to the criticism from the public Lauten resigned yesterday.

          I found Lauten's comments extremely distasteful and frankly, caused me to wonder about Lauten's sanity. I have a hard time imagining why any adult would criticize a child, and especially who is in the public eye and had no choice in the profession of their parents. Sasha and Malia behaved like typical teenagers, and I saw no reason to criticize them for their actions. Lauren is the person who acted immaturely. Unfortunately, criticism of children of presidents is not new. The daughter of Ronald Reagan, Patti Davis, wrote a letter to Sasha and Malia explaining her  experiences with the press and how "as First Daughters, you can't win". I believe all children should be off limits to the press and public criticism, regardless of political affiliation.