states, their legislatures and their citizens time to
evaluate CCSS before having to commit to it;
And, the NGA and CCSSO, in concert with the
same corporations developing the CCSS assessments,
created new textbooks, digital media and other
teaching materials aligned to the standards which
must be purchased and adopted by local school
districts in order that students may effectively
compete on CCSS assessments;
And, the CCSS program includes federally-funded
testing and the collection and sharing of massive
amounts of personal student and teacher data;
And, the CCSS effectively removes educational
choice and competition since all schools and districts
must use Common Core assessments, based on the
Common Core standards, to allow all students to
advance in the school system and advance to higher
education pursuits;
Therefore, West Virginia Farm Bureau recognizes
the CCSS as an inappropriate overreach to standardize
and control the education of our children so they will
conform to a pre-conceived “normal”;
And, West Virginia Farm Bureau rejects the
collection of personal student data for any noneducation purpose without the prior written consent
of an adult student or a child student’s parent or legal
guardian, and rejects the sharing of such personal data
without the prior written consent of an adult student
or a child student’s parent or legal guardian, with
any person or entity other than schools or education
agencies within the state;
And finally, West Virginia Farm Bureau specifically
states the need to repeal the numerous federal
regulations which interfere with state and local control
of public schools;
Therefore, West Virginia Farm Bureau rejects
the CCSS plan, which creates and fits the country
with a nationwide straightjacket on academic
freedom and achievement.
44. WV FFA PROGRAMS & CEDAR LAKES
CONFERENCE CENTER
West Virginia Farm Bureau believes Cedar Lakes
is a major asset for WV as a center for FFA and
other youth activities, and as an adult education
facility. Cedar Lakes should be maintained and
facilities improved with additional private housing.
We encourage the West Virginia Department of
Education to put more emphasis on improving and
16 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
using Cedar Lakes.
Farm Bureau is willing to work with other
organizations to help secure adequate state funding for
Cedar Lakes Conference Center. We request that WV
citizens receiving a state tax refund be given the option
to dedicate it or a portion thereof to a designated fund
meant for capital improvements and maintenance of
Cedar Lakes Conference Center.
45. FINANCIAL EDUCATION
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends that
a financial planning course be implemented in the
secondary school system.
46. ABSTINENCE EDUCATION
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports programs
providing education and support to children in various
subjects such as good hygiene, self-esteem, controlled
substance awareness, and abstinence, through school
classes and community events.
47. BASIC EDUCATION
West Virginia Farm Bureau recommends a
thorough and efficient education, stressing competence
in reading comprehension, writing, science,
technology, math and agricultural science be provided
for students of our state.
To achieve this goal, we support:
• Adequate facilities, instructional equipment
and supplies
• Appropriate academic preparation of teachers
who are periodically evaluated and tested
• Properly trained and qualified persons
should be permitted to volunteer to assist
paid personnel in sponsoring extracurricular
activities and safety training programs
48. WEST VIRGINIA STUDIES REQUIREMENT
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the teaching
of West Virginia studies, which is currently required
for elementary school students and eighth graders.
Farm Bureau recommends that the study of West
Virginia be carried through in grades five, six and
seven by incorporating specific objectives addressing
the state’s relationship with the content of the social
studies curriculum for each of these grade levels. Farm
Bureau also suggests that textbooks and materials used
by students and teachers for the study of West Virginia
be kept up-to-date.