I live in a great community that is currently experiencing a high level of division, unfortunately. We are one of many American communities torn apart over what is known as "Common Core." Common Core refers to federally mandated educational standards for primary and secondary students in public schools. (Google it...I don't have time or space to describe it in detail here.) Some defend Common Core as a good and necessary measure of a student's learning and capabilities. Others benignly accept Common Core simply as the latest in a long line of standardized expectations that accompany federal funding. There are those who don't see Common Core as the end of the world, but do have significant questions, concerns,or even worries about it. And still others are gravely frightened by it, and sincerely believe that everything possible must be done to dismantle, at least in our community, and preferably throughout our state.
As an aside, I am in the third group listed above. Common Core is the latest standardized measure handed down from Washington, joining the other such standards that essentially date back to the "No Child Left Behind" effort years ago. On the one hand, much of what people might perceive to be a change in content of learning is actually a change in method. (For example, when I was an elementary school student back in the Jurassic Era, I was taught to memorize multiplication tables. I was drilled that 8 x 8 = 64 until I could recall that like I can recall the Pledge of Allegiance. Our seven year old granddaughter is being taught not only THAT 8 x 8 = 64 but WHY 8 x 8 = 64. It's a different method than rote memorization. Both ways, 8 x 8 = 64.) And I'm told that all along our particular school district has been ahead on prepping for standardized testing. On the other hand, I've always thought it shady that compliance to federal standards is tied to federal standard compliance. I don't like the fact that teacher evaluations are tied so heavily to test scores; testing only measures so much, and teachers are under enough impossible pressure as it is. Data retrieval via Common Core does leave open the possibility of "data mining," it seems to me. And, while I understand basically where the Common Core standards are headed in math and science, the social studies arena seems strangely vague to me, and I could see where questions could possibly be formulated that promote particular ideologies or political views. Finally, it bothers me that Common Core was basically developed by a political and business group, and not specifically by educators. So, I have some concerns about Common Core, but probably don't think of the situation as being as dire as some do.
Frankly, I'm concerned less by Common Core than I am concerned by the painful divisions it is creating in communities. So I want to offer some thoughts to all of us, regardless of where we stand on this or any issues that divide people:
- My late father once told me that the quickest way to distract people and to galvanize them to follow ill-advised leadership is to give them something or someone to hate. And that, my father said, is universally wrong, no matter what the cause is. The Roman Empire citizens of the first century were given the Christians to hate. The Germans of the mid-twentieth century were given Jews to hate. From North American lynchings to African and Eastern European ethnic genocide, this dynamic is a toxin that poisons even the most positive political position. All of this may seem a far cry from our local situation, but I get fearful when I see and hear people skirting the borders of this dangerous territory. This warning applies to EVERYONE on ANY side of any fence, beginning with the one typing.
- With this specific local issue, regardless of what happens or does not happen with Common Core, I trust our teachers. Our public schools are loaded with Jesus-following teachers who have willingly accepted the call to one of the most challenging and important mission fields of our era - public schools. Regardless of the standards, they will find a way to build thinking, caring, value-driven students. These teachers did not have anything to do with bringing Common Core to our state, no matter how each individual teacher feels about Common Core. And no matter where I stand on it, I refuse to make their already hard job that much harder by holding them accountable for its existence.
- I am a person of faith in Jesus, the crucified and risen. Following Him, I know that division between people that is fueled by enmity is not of God; it is of the Devil. Anyone in any of the four Common Core-related groups I identified above can fall victim to this. I can be on the side of a disagreement that is absolutely right in the eyes of God. But if in so doing my heart is governed by enmity toward the one with whom I disagree, and if I vilify and demean my opponent, then I am a servant of Satan, even if the stand I have taken is right. The Enemy loves to have us distracted by fighting among ourselves. It keeps us from pouring energy into the central task of loving each other and leading each other into the arms of Jesus.
- For followers of Jesus, we are still under the governance of love above all. We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, even when we disagree. He did not demonize or attack those who opposed Him; He died for them. I Corinthians 13 has not been repealed. Love is our REAL "Common Core."
That's it. Just had to get this off my chest. Thanks for reading, regardless of where you stand on this or any issue that divides us. We're all still worth the life, death, resurrection, and promised return of the one who has loved us with a greater love than we could ever know.
I'll see you around the next bend in the river...
