Common Core, Commode Core, and the Growing Need for Decentralization in Education

Dr. James Shuls

Increasingly, the federal government is promoting controversial policies in America’s public schools. Common Core, de facto national learning standards, was promoted by the U.S. Department of Education through a $4.35 billion competitive grant program in 2009. More recently, the Civil Rights Divisions of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague” letter which redefined the rules regarding sex discrimination of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.  Specifically, they state says schools must treat a transgender student the same as other students who identify with that gender.

While these issues appear very different on the surface, they highlight a growing problem facing America’s schools–federal encroachment.  Join us when Dr. James Shuls discusses the issues with each of these federal policies, the legal challenges, and the best path forward.   In short, he will argue that broader decentralization, which includes expanding educational options through school choice, is the best pathway for promoting liberty. 

Dr. James Shuls is an assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and Director of Education Policy and Distinguished Fellow in Education Policy at the Show-Me Institute. He is a recognized expert on Common Core, school choice and other education policy issues such as those recently litigated in the Vergarra v. California case.  His work has been featured in numerous national publications and media outlets.  Dr. Shuls earned his Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Arkansas, holds master’s degree from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University, both in elementary education. 

When: Thursday, June 23, 2016, 11:30 a.m. (registration), 12:00-1:00 p.m. (lunch)

Where: 1st Floor Conference Center, 2040 Main Street, Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 760-0404

Cost: $30 for lunch and 1 hour of MCLE credit (Nonmembers, $35, Students/Judges $20). The Federalist Society is a California State Bar approved provider of MCLE.

RSVP and Pay: To RSVP and pay by credit card click the Buy Now button on this page. To pay by cash or check at the door, please send an RSVP no later than June 22, 2016 to Carol Matheis, at OCFederalist@cox.net and make checks payable to "The Federalist Society."

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