Act 532 of the 2014 Louisiana Session returns control over curriculum, content and methodology to the locally elected school boards. Appreciating the full impact that this law can have on schools and teaching requires an understanding of what is meant by "Curriculum, Content and Methodology (CC&M):
- Curriculum is the section of each subject that will be taught in each grade level.
- Content is the material that will be used in each class to teach the curriculum.
- Methodology is how the teacher will use the material to get the children to understand the curriculum.
Now, let's look at "Standards". Louisiana Revised Statute 17:24.4 (4) defines our State Content Standards as "statements that define what a student should know or be able to accomplish at the end of a specific time period or grade level or at the completion of a course." Standards ARE NOT and DO NOT INCLUDE Curriculum, Content or Methodology.
Some people have found this analogy helpful: If education is the destination, Content Standards are the stops along the way: "Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers." Curriculum is the route and the itinerary: some parishes develop their own and some use the one created by the state. Content is what everyone needs to have in order to reach the destination: map, clothes, money: the books and reading selections that are used. Methodology is how you will get there: by plane, car or train: with our ELA example, "close reading" could be chosen (or not).
ADDRESSING PARENTS' CONCERNS:
In drafting this legislation, we knew that legislators would fight against any attempt to eliminate the standards. So, we had to consider exactly what parents with children in the public schools system were having the most trouble with regarding their children's education. It was clear to us that parents were concerned with the grade levels at which certain topics and skills were being introduced in the CURRICULUM ; questionable CONTENT that was being seen in their children’s homework, classwork, and reading assignments; as well as the METHODOLOGY being used in teaching concepts.
Because parental concerns had everything to do with CC&M and nothing to do with the actual standards, we were able to have the legislature address these serious issues. For too long, parents had been following the advice of certain special interest groups in screaming against the standards and felt like hamsters on a wheel: groups telling parents to complain about the standards when parent issues were actually with CC&M was getting parents nowhere.
Prior to this law, concerned parents were told by their School Boards that BESE was in control of CC&M; and, BESE told them that they had given that authority back to the School Boards. Parents were caught in the middle of finger-pointing and were very frustrated as a result. Even worse, the law was not specific, either. The only mention of curriculum in the statutes gave BESE the responsibility over middle school curriculum. Thanks to the passage of what is now, Act 532, parents absolutely know who is responsible--their locally elected School Boards.
It may take some time for the locally elected School Boards to remedy the problems; but now, parents can point out exactly what it is they do not like to their elected board members. So, parents, if "Everyday Math" is confusing and unclear, let your board members know that you want them to choose a different curriculum. You may want your district to include something in the curriculum that is not a part of the standards, like Cursive Writing. If you are not happy with the reading material, get the book taken off the list! Parents in St. Tammany have already been successful in getting a moratorium on the use of certain websites in their schools.
WHAT CAN PARENTS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS DO?
1. Email your child's teacher, school principal and your School Board member. Let them know your specific concerns regarding Curriculum, Content or Methodology. Refer to any issue using those terms—those are the things over which your district has control.
2. Start a FaceBook page for your School District where parents can post and citizens can see the concerns. Encourage parents to also share any successes—be prepared for special interest groups/individuals (including Anti-CC groups) to attempt to co-opt your page.
3. Put a flyer on every door in your district informing people of the general issues (with examples). Include your FB page and email address; as well as, the contact info for your School Board member. Also include the schedule of School Board meetings and a request that they attend.
4. Start your own parent organization (outside of the PTA) specifically to work these problems and to keep everyone up to date on progress---be prepared for attempts by individuals/groups (including Anti-CC) to co-opt your organization.
5. Attend School Board meetings with as many citizens as possible---those without children in the system pay taxes, too and may want to have a say. Take advantage of the comment period and bring up specific items along with solutions.
6. Keep regular contact with your School Board member and expect that they take the lead in addressing these concerns.
7. Once your district is informed and engaged, recall your board member if they do nothing to address concerns. Always search for those who would be great candidates and consider stepping up yourself.
8. Encourage everyone in your district to vote when the time comes.