Ideology in My Controversy

In this blog post, I will discuss my controversy as a whole. Using the information I've learned while  researching, I will answer all of the questions on page 231, in the book Writing Public Lives. 

1. Who is involved in the controversy?

Common Core is a nationwide program that involves students, teachers, parents and politicians.

2. Who are some of the major speakers/writers within these groups?

President Barack Obama is a huge speaker for the campaign, and is an advocate for the program. Governor Janet Napolitano is also a huge supporter. Other politicians and educational leaders serve as the major speakers of the program.

3. What kind of social/cultural/economic/political power does each group hold?

As most of the speakers are political leaders, they hold the majority of the power. They are the lawmakers and the enforcers, and they also have the economic means to maintain the program. Most families and students do not have much of a say in the matter, because they hold no political or economic power.

4. What resources are available to different positions?

The political leaders are available to a pedestal where their voices and opinions can be heard, as well as the resources to make this program into a law which each state may have to oblige to. The families and students are not available to many resources, besides the ability to express their opinion. Teachers are not available to many resources either.

5. What does each group value?

Each group values the same thing, yet wants to express it in different ways. All parties involved in this controversy want American children to be educated, however, they all disagree on what the education process should look like. Some value the ability to allow children to move at their own, perhaps leisurely, pace, and others want every kid in the classroom to be challenged in their schoolwork.

6. What counts as evidence for the different positions?

A large amount parents are actively restraining or complaining about the Common Core program by commenting on social media, holding rallies and taking their children out of public school, to homeschool their child. Also, the new low test scores serve as evidence for the parent's position too, because they gather that their children are not learning and absorbing information as well as they used to.

Ideological analysis questions:

1. Is there a power differential between the groups?

Yes, both groups seem to think the other group holds a greater portion of the power. The parents feel powerless over the lawmakers and politicians, while the policy makers feel powerless when the parents are pulling their children out of public schools. Additionally, the teachers are told to implement the Common Core program by the national, while the parents are complaining and arguing with them over their teaching style.

2. Is there any acknowledged common ground between groups?

The only common ground that each group has acknowledged is the ultimate goal of educating children living in America.

3. Is there any unacknowledged common ground?

No, there is no unacknowledged common ground among each position.

4. Do the various groups listen to each other? That is, do they respond directly to the claims made by one another? Or do they only talk to people who already hold the same position?

The groups do not necessarily listen to each other, however, sometimes they are forced to. The teachers involved in the program serve as the "middle-man" between the government and the concerned parents, and often receive the brute of the complaints. But, other than that, most do not directly communicate with another member of another position.

WWYD? "common core cartoon." 05/11/2014 via Flickr.
Attribution 2.0 Generic License. 

--Jenny Bello