Claudette Riley

CRILEY@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Downtown Springfield is one of the only places where people can see Glenn Beck's new movie opposing Common Core.

But it's more than a movie. It's a rally to stop the new standards.

An online invitation to "We Will Not Conform" calls the interactive movie, showing simultaneously in select theaters across the U.S., a "wake-up call" and a "chance for anyone who is tired of sitting idly by as the federal government continues its takeover of our schools to come together and do something about it."

"This isn't an evening about observing, it's a chance to learn, share and engage with people as frustrated and motivated as you are," the invitation reads. "By the end of the night, the brainpower, experience and passion of thousands of people from around the country will be captured in a comprehensive, unified plan of action distributed to all participants."

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a widespread push to detail exactly what students should know in math and communication arts — reading and writing — by the end of each grade.

Unlike a smattering of other states, Missouri has largely embraced Common Core as a way to better prepare high school graduates to find success in college and the workplace. It has been supported by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state Board of Education.

"Decisions about curriculum, instructional strategies, tools, materials and textbooks are left to local districts and schools that know their students best," according to the Missouri Learning Standards website. "Just as in the past, Missouri schools will continue to design their own curriculum according to the needs and interest of local districts. State assessments reflect student knowledge and skills."

The movie, billed as "A night to make Common Core history," will be live-streamed, via satellite, at 7 tonight at Regal Cinemas, 415 W. College St. The theater has about 200 seats and a ticket is $18.

Outside of the sole Springfield showing tonight, the closest showings are in Joplin, Kansas City and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

An encore screening of the movie is planned for July 29.

Springfield school board member Gerry Lee, former president of the Missouri School Boards Association, said education standards must be clear and rigorous. He's worried about any effort to water down what is expected of students.

"Many districts have already began the implementation of the Common Core standards, including Springfield," Lee said. "We are probably three, maybe four years in."

The online invitation states "a top-down, one-size-fits-all solution is no solution at all" and warns that "if Common Core succeeds, the ability of an administration to influence curriculum at a national level will be unprecedented and unstoppable."

"This event will give you the tools you need to go out into your community and make a real difference," it reads. "Besides, victories against Common Core at all levels only help pave the way to expand school choice opportunities and educate more people on why additional federal intervention into education is not the answer."

Lee said there is a lot of misinformation about Common Core. He said while it sets standards, state law gives districts the ability to determine how and what students will learn.

"All of the flexibility is at the local level because we're the ones determining curriculum," he said.

Gov. Jay Nixon recently signed House Bill 1490 into law, which is widely considered a "compromise" on Common Core. Superintendent John Jungmann explained the impact at the July 15 board meeting.

"That allows districts to continue to proceed with implementation while work groups are set up around the state in order to study the Common Core conversation," he said.

The work groups will be assigned by lawmakers and include education representatives.

"They'll report back to the state board within a year to give their findings," he said. "And then it will be up to the state board on how to proceed at that point."