http://www.arkansasagainstcommoncore.com/ | Grace Lewis, founder and organizer of Arkansas Against Common Core, did not know the power she would unleash when she asked a technologically savvy local youth to help her create a website for Arkansas Against Common Core. Patrick Richardson, a then 15 year old youth with high personal standards and a vast interest in technology, answered that request when he presented Mrs. Lewis with an organized, well researched, fact based website. At that time, shocked and elated, Mrs. Lewis asked Richardson if he would also like to speak at the upcoming House and Senate Joint Education Committee Interim Study on Common Core. He was up to the challenge and showed up at the hearing with a presentation that completely amazed everyone including the Joint Education Committee and the State Department of Education. No one was prepared for Patrick's well researched power point presentation on the money trail behind Common Core. He left many with dropped jaws and stunned faces. Patrick continues to impress all of us at Arkansas Against Common Core by his own investigation and analysis of many large, wordy documents like Race to The Top, The State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, and the PARCC agreement, etc. Because of his ability to expose the facts with a tenacious, no nonsense wit, he is frequently asked to speak on talk radio and take interviews. Having done his own research, he has no fear when it comes to hard-hitting questions or big names like the Dave Elswick Show. As he continues to delve into different areas of the Common Core Standards and its aligned test, curricula and longitudinal data systems, he shares his knowledge and expertise by revealing the core of Common Core through presentations and interviews. Some may wonder what produces a young man like Patrick Richardson. Patrick is quick to credit his success to the role his family has played, by instilling in him strong religious beliefs and values, and encouraging him to develop his God given talents. Mrs. Lewis believes this is what has enabled him to become the mature, highly motivated, ambitious, well rounded productive young man he is today. It is amazing how even a 15-year-old (now 16), can connect the dots and see the fallacies of the Common Core Initiative. Thank you Patrick for all that you do in this ever-mounting battle for our liberties, as Thomas Paine stated, "Those who expect to reap the blessing of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

• published: 13 Oct 2013
• views: 384