Polly Want A Cracker?

While writing my last blog, I found something so interesting I thought it was worth sharing. Earlier this week I had a class on propaganda. Propaganda is the method in which people are lead to believe something desired via specific methods.

Repetition is but one instance of propaganda (unfortunately, there are many!). In this case, the propagandizer simply says something over and over and over again ad nauseam until it becomes unconscious truth. No one knows where the "truth" came from or whether or not it's accurate, but they've heard it so often it simply becomes fact.

Since the Common Core initiative began, I have been simply fascinated by the fact that ALL proponents seem to utter nearly the exact same words and phrases every time you hear one opine on their fabulousness.

Please note the following quote taken from the Missouri Education Watchdog,

"No additional costs are anticipated for revising and maintaining the standards in Missouri. The current department budget and staff have been involved in ongoing activities related to standards, assessments and support for schools since the first adoption of the ShowMe Standards in 1996."

Also,

"The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led, not federal-led effort. The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce."

Now, compare Damon Gardenhire's remarks on the Common Core found in the article, "State education department spokesman: Barresi anticipates low costs for implementing "Common Core" and this quote from the Common Core State Standards initiative website "About" page first paragraph,

"The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce."

Truly, I don't think I can say anything now, other than, "Polly wanna cracker?"