WV Farm Bureau Magazine January 2015 | Page 16

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.