The Wannabees

Anti Fed Ed Warriors, look closely at the example family above. Chances are we know several families like the “Wannabees”. I chose this fictitious name on purpose. You’ll understand why by the end of this article.

Warriors, how many of us choosing to fight for our educational freedom are also just like the “Wannabees”?

Day in, day out, we are informing everyone we can about the CCSS Machine’s grasp on education. But, what ARE we telling our own families?!

If your family is like mine, there are members who have not only opened their minds to what is going on in education, but who are helping inform others. Then, there are others, who see there’s a problem, but do nothing or very little, hoping it’ll all just go away. Then, the last set of family members just think I’m crazy.

However, my heart breaks just as much when I talk to my adult children about their educational/job futures as it does when I’m talking to others about their younger children. Truth be told, it breaks their hearts to see their futures in so much jeopardy.

Some of us, as Warriors, have dedicated years to teaching. We’re old enough to know that quality American education used to allow someone like the littlest “Wannabee”  (above) to dream about what she WANTED to be when she grew up. Some of us, as Warriors, have seen the benefit of quality education allowing for the “little Wannabees” to carry out what they were excited to do.

In the modern education CCSS/CCR/CTE/STEM* setting, our “Little Wannabees” will become what a skill based assessment prescribes. (*Note: CCSS, Common Core State Standards; CCR, College and Career Readiness; CTE, Career Tech Education; STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

Some of us have started and didn’t finish, or, have completed educational degrees in the past. We now find that for whatever reason we wish to finish what we started, or want to add on to that completed degree. We’re like “Mom Wannabee” (above). The ugly reality is, even Mom will have to go through CCSS aligned placement tests and/or skill based assessments to properly ‘place’ her in the correct courses. Likewise, “Dad Wannabee” faces this same sort of regimented steps in his job training required to further his career.

How did all this happen? It wasn’t overnight and it’s not just one law. From the federal level, as you’ve heard and read my research before, WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) had to be passed first. However, before WIOA, Common Core and STEM had to be implanted. That way, when WIOA DID pass, all the strings were secure. When ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) passed, those ‘strings’ became ties that bind ALL of us to the education/workforce reform.

So, have you picked up on why I chose to spell ‘wannabe’ like ‘Wannabees’? If not, look below:

Warriors, look closely, there’s no choice in the bee colony. Frankly, like the bee colony, our fictitious “Wannabees” family, is finding that their lives are becoming LESS about what they want/desire/choose and MORE about what to do to conform to the system controlling BOTH education and jobs.

Warriors, if you’ve not seen this type of situation in your home, do know, it IS coming. Look at the picture, note the side of the bee hive which has been filled in; that’s the part of our American education system (regardless of ‘choice’) already being controlled!

Frankly, the education reform at the will of the CCSS Machine, has very LITTLE left to control and reform. This is regardless of who serves us in D.C., at our State Capitols, or in downtown!! That ‘little’ bit? The HEA (Higher Education Act), is up for re-authorization very soon.

Closing:

So, why did I introduce you to the “Wannabees”? Because we must know HOW to talk to our students of ALL ages about how to navigate this all consuming/controlling system! We must know what to say to ALL those in the job market about how to work well, but to not be conformed to the all consuming/controlling agenda. Is this type of conversation even possible?!  Absolutely! Think of it this way, if there is bad news to be told, isn’t it much easier to bare if it’s delivered by those closest to you, whom you trust?!

Warriors, we simply MUST lead our fellow citizens to solutions. We’ve led them to credible evidence proving the problems.

So, here is a short list of how we, as those opposed to federally controlled education for workforce and the economy’s sake, can help others (and even our own families) seek solutions:
1) Get involved in education, the labor force, the community’s plans to unite both.
2) Realize the problems in education for workforce/economy will continue to be there…and increase.
3) Be purposed to remain as free of a thinker as possible.
4) No matter what age student, arm them with enough knowledge they can spot the education/workforce/economy conformity a mile  away. Depending on age, mental capabilities, etc., we need to respect that. Too much truth overwhelms when given all at once. To lay a great foundation of truth, it must be a consistent, long-term approach.
5) Protest appropriately.
6) Ask for alternative ways to apply for something or be tested.
7) Is the job training aligned to all the educational reform, a mandatory item or is it up to you to choose?
8) If possible, remove your younger students from the system for as long as possible. In the meantime, exercise #4 to create a super strong foundation.
9) Know the funding trail joining education to labor on the federal, state, and local levels.
10) Know your Constitutionally protected education and labor rights. No matter what reason they are being attacked, you do NOT have to conform!

Lastly, should we grieve for our students? Absolutely. It is appropriate to take a time to mourn their loss of free will. It is appropriate to mourn the loss of American freedoms we are witnessing. However, we should not grieve long. Why? We can get lost in that grief. Getting lost means getting side-tracked. Warriors, we CANNOT become side-tracked in our goal to remain as free as possible.