A score on the common core
I have been doing a lot of ongoing research on standards and quality assessments. One thing I have learned is that, agree or disagree, educators must be prepared to be taught and evaluated by the common core strategies as well as implement them into their classrooms. What does this mean for ECE professionals? Take a look! (Ebbeson, 2015)
I was surprised to learn that nearly all of the 50 states have adopted common core strategies and that these strategies have been incorporated into all levels of education from early learning programs through graduate school (NAEYC, 2012). It is beyond the scope of this post to explain or summarize the common core standards and strategies more than to state their purpose…to narrow the achievement gap and prepare children for college and the workforce (NAEYC, 2012). This gap is apparent in children as young as 36 months (Madoff, 2015).
I am looking at this today from the developmental perspective, inspired by a recent conversation I had with an academic colleague. The debate began with a difference of opinion on the developmental domains that the common core standards were intended to improve. My colleague believes that improved cognition is the goal as the standards focus on academic gains of “book knowledge” (M. Gates, personal interview, October 2, 2015). I disagree.
The achievement gap goes beyond cognitive disparity. The common core strategies are intended to do more than narrowing the academic achievement gap, but to produce high school children that are prepared for college and young adults for the workforce (NAEYC, 2012). This means having the social skills and self-regulation to work well with others, for example. These skills begin in our classrooms before children advance into kindergarten.
Let’s talk about this, you (yes, you, the reader) and I. What domain(s) do you think the common core standards are influencing? What domains do you think they should include? Post in the comments your view and help us settle the score on the common core.
Agree with it or not, we as ECE professionals must be ready to be trained by, implement, and be held accountable by its criterion (Ebbeson, 2015).
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Posted on October 11, 2015, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
Common Core is starting to make a difference in the way we view education. But, How can we improve on the Common Core curricula? Where are the gaps if any has teachers seen in the implementation of the curricula?
Common Core standards are popular in most states. However, the state I lie in (Virginia) is one of the states who have not adopted the Common Core Standards. We use Standards of Learning. This poses a problem for students transitioning to our state because some of the courses are not accepted out state’s criteria. It is extremely frustrating to students who transfer to Virginia with a military parent during their senior year and are being told they are unable to graduated because they don’t have the credits to graduate with a diploma or an advanced diploma.
I am so glad there is the Interstate Compact that has been put into law which states that now military students transferring to another state can receive a diploma from their sending school if they will not meet the credit requirements for the receiving school. All 50 states are now a part of the Interstate Compact. For more information, go to http://www.mic3.net.