By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Earlier today the Alabama Political Reporter reported that Arnold Mooney stated at a candidates forum in Indian Springs that he opposes returning to the 2007 education standards and thus opposes the repeal of the unpopular Common Core Standards. While that was what our reporter wrote down in his notes, the Arnold Mooney campaign assures us that that is not the case. Whether Mr. Mooney misspoke at the forum, or our reporter misunderstood his statement in the rapid fire forum environment, we apologize for incorrectly reporting his position on this, one of the most controversial topics in this election.
The Mooney campaign sent us this written statement: “Arnold’s position on education/common core is: Common Core standards and their implementation teach children what to think, not how to think. Arnold opposes Common Core and supports its repeal. Every child is different with a unique sets of needs, and parents should be able choose the school that best meets those needs. Having a blanket one size fits all education approach reduces our children to assembly line products. Additionally, Common Core is untested and it’s inappropriate to use our children as part of a social experiment.”
The Mooney campaign continued: “Arnold supports the standards that were in place in 2009 that were developed by Alabama and were solidly increasing the quality of education before Common Core implementation began. Ultimately, Alabama needs to implement school choice that empowers parents to choose schools that are tailored for their children’s needs.”
The Mooney campaign said that none of their supporters or financial backers were asking him to support Common Core.
Conservatives Cheryl Ciamarra and Amie Beth Shaver both said that they were for jettisoning the unpopular Obama Administration endorsed standards developed by a committee of experts at the urging of the Governors and corporate interests.
Cheryl Ciamarra called Common Core a “boondoggle” that was promoted by billionaire Microsoft Founder Bill gates whose company makes $3 for every $1 that his foundation donates to the effort. Ciammarra said that Common Core is, “Not reliable and is not helping us,” and that she is for pausing it, and repealing it and replacing it with something local. Ms. Ciamarra said, “I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that education is a priority in the State of Alabama.”
Amie Beth Shaver said she was “Definitely” in favor of repealing and replacing Common Core and said we have the talent in this state to write our own standards. Shaver said that going, “Back to our 2010 standards that were absolutely improving public schools,” is preferable to continuing implementation of Common Core.
Doug Clark said that there are problems with Common Core and that he favors putting implementation of the plan on pause.
Gina McDonald said that parents she talks to are overwhelmingly opposed to Common Core, but that teachers support Common Core. McDonald said that the two sides, “Need to come together across the aisle.” McDonald said that she wants the children of Alabama to far exceed any children in America. “I don’t want to completely throw out Common Core.” “The public does not understand Common Core. To completely throw it out is off the table for me.”
The Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee has overwhelmingly voted to reject Common Core at their 2012 Winter Meeting. At the urging of Billy Canary, who heads the powerful Business Council of Alabama, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R) from Anniston defied his own party and conservative groups across the state by refusing to allow a bill repealing Common Core that was sponsored by Sen. Scott Beason (R) to even be introduced on the floor of the Senate in the 2014 legislative session.
Gina McDonald said that parents she talks to are overwhelmingly opposed to Common Core, but that teachers support Common Core. McDonald said that the two sides, “Need to come together across the aisle.” McDonald said that she wants the children of Alabama to far exceed any children in America. “I don’t want to completely throw out Common Core…The public does not understand Common Core. To completely throw it out is off the table for me.”
Doug Clark said that there are problems with Common Core and that he favors putting implementation of the plan on pause.
The Republican Primary is Tuesday, June 3.
