The U.S. Secretary of Education said the federal government will intervene if parents continue opting their children out of Common Core tests in large numbers. Nearly 200,000 students opted out in New York alone, and opt outs are rising nationwide. The Secretary did not specify what intervention would entail, but the government may withhold funding to coerce participation. As demonstrated by Race to the Top grants, states prioritize funding over sovereignty when incentivized. Concerns over data collection, high-stakes testing, and lack of transparency have fueled growing resistance to Common Core among parents and educators.

1. 11/10/2015 Common Core Tests ­­ Parents Opt out, Government Steps in
https://www.hslda.org/docs/news/2015/201504280.asp 1/1
April 27, 2015
Common Core Testing
Parents Opt Out, Government Steps In
Lauren Mitchell
Legislative Assistant
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said last
Tuesday that the federal government has “an obligation
to step in” if parents keep opting their kids out of
controversial Common Core tests. Duncan made his
remarks while speaking to reporters at the Education
Writers Association’s 68th National Seminar’s edu‐press
conference.
When a reporter asked what he thought about the
backlash against Common Core and the willingness of
parents to opt their children out of these high‐stakes
tests aligned with the Common Core, Duncan said he
expects states to hold “districts’ and schools’ feet to the
fire on this.”
While Duncan did not clarify what he meant by “stepping
in,” the federal government is unlikely to stand idly by
as the test consortia it funded falls apart. Duncan’s statements reflect a growing pressure on education
bureaucrats to keep states locked into the Common Core. Students nationwide are still opting out of voluntary
benchmark assessments, which are meant to prepare them for all‐day Common Core tests.
Keeping Their Kids at Home
Nearly 200,000 students have opted out of taking these tests in New York State alone—and nationwide, the
numbers of Common Core student test‐takers continue to diminish. So with unprecedented numbers of parents
keeping their children at home on test day, the federal government will be tempted to “step in” more than ever.
HSLDA is concerned that federal officials will again resort to financial incentives—or threaten to withhold funding
—to coerce students into participating in these tests. As demonstrated empirically by 2009’s “Race to the Top”
grants, state governments have a track record of prioritizing federal funds over their own sovereignty. Lured by
the promise of funding, many cash‐strapped states could not or would not resist the offer of billions of dollars in
exchange for what seemed, at the time, a small sacrifice: adhering to a set of K–12 learning standards.
But far from being just another set of standards, Common Core revolutionized education in America—and not for
the better. Concerns over data collection, high stakes testing, and a lack of transparency have provoked a
groundswell of resistance among parents and educators.
As grassroots movements and parental opposition continues to dismantle Common Core piece by piece, concerned
citizens should remain vigilant and take Duncan’s threats seriously. Whenever the government threatens to “step
in,” the right of parents to be involved in their children’s education is bound to suffer.
To learn more about why HSLDA opposes the Common Core, please visit these webpages.
• • •
Learn More
To read more news stories about Secretary Duncan’s statements, please see the following:
• Chalkbeat.org: “As Opt‐out Numbers Grow, Arne Duncan Says Feds May Have to Step in”
• National Review: “Feds Play the Race Card to Crush Parents’ Revolt Against Common Core”
• • •
Protect Your Family
If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or
recommend us? Your support for our work enables us to defend individual families threatened by government
officials and protect homeschooling freedom for all. Join now >>
Search Navigation Menu
Member Login: username ••••••••
Navigation Menu
Members' Home Page
ADVERTISEMENT
5120
203
46
8
5435