Tucson teacher claims reprisals for criticizing Common Core

Brad McQueen, a fifth-grade teacher at Agua Caliente Elementary School, claims in the suit that he was removed from several state committees he was paid to serve on after speaking on media outlets against Common Core and the accompanying standardized test.

The committees McQueen served on worked to advise the state department on issues related to standardized testing, including some not related to Common Core.

McQueen says that after he made his public comments, notes were added to his ADE file that could affect future employment opportunities and that he was disparaged in official department emails.

McQueen’s first anti-Common Core comments were published in February, followed by his participation on a radio show days later.

Shortly thereafter, at least seven ADE officials discussed McQueen’s public dissent over email, urging the department to check teacher team lists and calling him “one unhappy camper” as well as an expletive.

By March, McQueen was confronted by the ADE regarding his comments in what he described as an “intimidating fashion.” The longtime elementary school teacher was asked if he understood the Common Core and whether he was implementing it in his classes.

Since he went public with his opposition to the standards, McQueen has not been invited to serve on any teacher committee.

McQueen also named Arizona schools chief John Huppenthal in the lawsuit, saying Huppenthal was made aware of his staff’s conduct and allowed the retaliation to continue, even participating by disparaging McQueen on the campaign trail.

In an August debate, Diane Douglas mentioned McQueen being forced out as an example of Huppenthal’s administration not wanting to hear from those opposed to Common Core. Douglas was elected schools chief in November.

Huppenthal denied that allegation, and asserted the concern was McQueen “created a problem” by insisting that Native Americans be referred to as Indians.

Kurt Altman, senior attorney at the Goldwater Institute, which filed the lawsuit on McQueen’s behalf, acknowledged the question of McQueen’s participation on future committees may soon be academic, since Douglas will be taking over the department on Jan. 5 and deciding who serves on committees.

McQueen, who has written a book titled “The Cult of Common Core,” said he was speaking as a private citizen.

“The more I learned about the Common Core, the more concerned I became,” McQueen said. “But I had no idea that voicing my opinion on my own time and as a private citizen would cause me to be targeted by the department. I was shocked.”

Altman added: “No teacher should have to worry about losing his job or being forced out or other professional roles because he disagrees with a policy. We should be doing the opposite.”

In the lawsuit, the Goldwater Institute claims that McQueen’s First Amendment rights were violated and seeks to have his record cleared. It also asks that he be reinstated to the committees unrelated to Common Core.

Tanque Verde Superintendent Doug Price said the situation has not affected McQueen’s classroom, saying, “We value and respect all of our employees’ First Amendment rights.”

The Tanque Verde School District abides by laws of the state, the requirements of the state Board of Education, and directives from the ADE and local school board policies in all educational matters, Price added.

The Arizona Department of Education would not comment on Tuesday.