“We want high standards in the schools, but we want local school boards to develop those standards and be advised by parents who live in the district,” Kasich said.
As Kasich spoke, a few fellow Republicans picketed outside the campaign stop at the Beavercreek business Signs Now. Mike Snead, Beavercreek, who identified himself as a member of the local tea party, called on Kasich and lawmakers to repeal Common Core.
“It is a very poor educational system that is being foisted upon the American people and now impacting the school systems in about 45 states,” Snead said.
Most troubling, he said, is loss of local control.
“With the curriculum comes the testing, the books. All of the data collection is essentially a big, massive educational system being led by the federal government and forced upon the local school systems.”
Retired teacher Andrea Bauer joined Kasich in supporting the incoming system.
“Common Core tells districts what should be taught at what level and what depth they need to go into it,” Bauer said. “The school districts still decide how they are going to teach that.”
Kasich declined to comment on the campaign of Democratic challenger Ed FitzGerald and reports that his recent missteps have led to the resignation of his campaign manager and other key staffers this week. Instead, Kasich said he is focused on his own campaign.
Doris Adams, Greene County Democratic Chair, also picketed outside of the Kasich event. She said despite FitzGerald’s problems, he remains a better choice in the election.
“Ed would do a much better job with both hands tied behind his back than Kasich has done,” she said.
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