Liberals have tried since the 1960s to get government control over what children learn, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Every time liberals have tried to get control of local education, Congress has voted no because Americans do not want the federal government to dictate what our children are taught. Liberals did manage to change the teaching of early history, American and English literature.

After President Obama’s 2008 election, liberals learned to go around Congress and got their education plan called “common core” and/or “college and career readiness,” using regulations without passing laws.

President Obama’s 2009 economic stimulus bill (to stop the recession) had $800 billion for jobs, with $4.35 billion for “Race to the Top” funds for education.

When states refuse to accept “common core,” government stops paying Title 1 money for low-income students. This is blackmail.

Alabama’s education standards are now 95 percent of the new common core. Why change? Alabama can improve standards by simply adopting the highest-ranked standards of other states, like Massachusetts (English language arts) and California (mathematics).

Alabama must recall common core standards. The federal government only pays a state for 10 years, and then it stops. After 10 years, according to education expert Emmett McGroarty of California, Alabama will have to pick up all costs to keep our schools operating. Common core must be stopped.

Betty Webster Hardin
Northport