Bill Gates on Common Core: “It’s not a federal takeover”
Billionaire philanthropist, Bill Gates discussed several issues this morning with ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” with Mr. Stephanopoulos to include his “passion project”, Common Core, the educational curriculum in which his organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested some $75 million.
Gates said of the controversial educational standards, “It’s such an exciting thing to have high standards, quality standards and consistent standards, I am disappointed that its implementation is at risk in some states.”
Gates is referring to a portion of the 45 states and the District of Columbia that have already adopted it and are now looking to delay or do away with Common Core altogether.
Related story: Former teacher Karen Schoen talks Common Core, details the new standards for the ‘human capital’
The Tea Party, parents and some teachers have mounted a campaign against Common Core State Standards stating it’s amounts to federal control over education, for which Gates flatly denies, “It’s not a federal takeover.”
Despite the opposition to Common Core, Gates feels optimistic.
“I believe ten years from now– kids’ confidence in math, kids’ scores in math can be improved a lot, where students feel like, ‘Yes, I get this, I’m not discouraged,’ it is so important. And, you know, these standards are the foundation for that…I think this is going to be big win for education.”
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