Massachusetts

Common Core is not a threat to history in Massachusetts

Common Core is not a threat to history in Massachusetts

Robert Antonucci

There has been much discussion lately about the Common Core standards and their effect on education in Massachusetts. My knowledge comes from being an educator for more than 40 years, along with also having served as Massachusetts Education Commissioner. I've seen the benefits of learning based on Common Core standards, which actually improved upon prior standards, helping our students and teachers build the tools for stronger writing and more strategic mathematical skills.

The April 18 New Boston Post article "To bring back U.S. history, first repeal Common Core" is filled with many misconceptions and much misinformation about what Common Core in Massachusetts actually does. One very important thing to note is that the Commonwealth's State Board of Education unanimously adopted the most recent Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, which include the Common Core state standards. Equally as important to note is that educators across Massachusetts helped adapt them for Massachusetts and very strongly support them.

HBO: History Bungling Office
media bias

HBO: History Bungling Office

L. Brent Bozell

HBO should stand for History Bungling Office. Over and over again, they have abused their disclaimer that certain films are "fact-based dramatizations." They re-litigated Al Gore's 2000 "victory" in "Recount." They viciously cartooned Sarah Palin's vice-presidential candidacy in "Game Change" without putting up any such disclaimer. Now, they're smearing Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a pervert and painting Anita Hill as a saint of sexual harassment in "Confirmation."

The makers of this "fact-based" movie claim it's balanced. Baloney. The advertisements alone give away the game. Over the face of actress (and executive producer) Kerry Washington, who played St. Anita, are the words, "It only takes one voice to change history."

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