unCommon Core

As you might recall, a presentation by an opponent of the adoption of Common Core standards in Catholic schools was barred from appearing at a suburban Milwaukee parish after the parish was contacted by Dr. Kathleen Cepelka, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (see my earlier post.

Now the Wisconsin State Journal has reported that the Diocese of Madison rejects Common Core for its schools.

I assume that Superintendent Cepelka would not say the Diocese of Madison is taking an unreasonable position. Further, the Church teaches that "Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children." (CCC 2223). If Superintendent Cepelka effectively keeps opponents of her preferred policies away from parishes, that would seem an obstacle to parents exercising that responsibility.

(via Badger Catholic)

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Update: In response to James Kohn's comment, I never advocate contacting the subjects of my posts and do not now.

And, anyway, Superintendent Cepelka's email was quoted at Catholic Education Daily, indicating her reasoning as follows.

"I discouraged having him speak at St. John’s because it’s my understanding that he has shared views in other places, which are contrary to the good faith efforts of St. John the Evangelist School and the entire Archdiocesan Schools program which attempts to provide the strongest academic program possible for our students."

The article goes on to quote from an interview of Cepelka in the Milwaukee Catholic Herald.

I note, in particular, her statement,

"What Common Core involves is developing thinking skills in students."

But, once they become adult parish members, they will be expected to keep their critical thoughts to themselves.

Archbishop Listecki addressed Common Core in a recent column in the Catholic Herald.

"As you can read in the definition, every aspect of education is affected K-12. Therefore, parents should be rightfully attentive."

Attentive to what, if his staff is, behind the scenes, suggesting suppression of what is at least arguably relevant information?

Along the way, our Archbishop says "In the Catholic schools, we have our guardians." That's less than reassuring, given that our Archdiocese is in bankruptcy due to claims of sexual abuse of children, many of whom were students in its schools.

(again, via Badger Catholic)

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P.S. On a lighter note, here's yesterday's Dilbert.