Governor Jan Brewer announced staff changes in her education policy team this week. While governors across the country are eschewing the federally devised program, Brewer is doubling down on her commitment to Common Core.
Dale Frost, who currently serves as Governor Brewer’s Education Policy Advisor, has been promoted to Director of the Governor’s Office of Education Innovation. In this role, Mr. Frost will advance the governor’s efforts to implement Common Core, otherwise known as Arizona’s College and Career Ready standards. Frost “will work collaboratively” with the Arizona Ready Education Council, according to a statement released by the Governor’s office.
Frost will also maintain his position as the governor’s Education Policy Advisor.
“Dale is an instrumental part of my administration, and so I’m pleased that he will continue to advance our education agenda in this new role,” said Governor Brewer.
Frost replaces departing Director Rebecca Gau, who has accepted a position with Stand for Children, a Common Core advocacy organization.
“As Director of Education Innovation, Rebecca has been integral in advancing one of the highest priorities of my administration,” said Governor. “I am immensely grateful for her key role in the development and implementation of our “Arizona Ready” education reform plan, and I am certain she will continue to be a strong advocate for Arizona children and schools.”
Just last week, Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal called opponents to Common Core “barbarians.” In turn, he lost the support of Common Core opponents on both the right and left of the political spectrum.
Brad McQueen, a Tucson area teacher and author of the widely popular book The Cult of Common Core said, ” If Governor Brewer spent as much time listening to parents and teachers in Arizona as she does listening to her PR team trying to spin her eating-scorpions-for-breakfast image nationally, she’d realize there is a groundswell of opposition to the Common Core machine in our state.”
“Brewer’s tone-deafness on this issue just shows how important it is that we vet every candidate, from the local school board up to the governor’s office, to ensure that they are on record as being for the complete removal of the Common Core from our state,” concluded McQueen.
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