It's time for me to hop into the national conversation (or should I say "freak out") on the Common Core Standards.
*Dons 5th Grade Teacher Hat*
This will be first in a series of bite-sized posts that will hopefully demystify the Common Core Standards.
There are a lot of statements and opinions flying around out there. Let me be clear that I believe the Common Core Standards are a gift to our students.
What are the Common Core Standards?
Simply stated, they are a set of learning objectives/goals that have been agreed upon by a consortium of 46 states so far to create an equity of educational focus across the country.
A small portion of the Common Core Standards will remain state specific. Each state will decide on that piece for themselves.
Why do we need the Common Core Standards?
We need to refocus education for 21st Century learners. We not only need to teach kids what to think in order to pass an annual standardized test, but HOW to arrive at information, and judge its relevance.
Simply put: Instead of list or name something - prove with evidence your knowledge of...
Research - Question - Judge With Criteria - Extend - Apply
(News Flash: Effective teachers have been doing this since education began.)
Higher education and the workplace have become environments of think tanks, collective problem solving, and technological savvy.
We owe it to our children to prepare them for the rigors of this reality.
Standardized testing HAS NOT been an effective measurement of the capabilities necessary for future success on the world stage.
Here's a funny commentary on why implementing the Common Core Standards is the way to go for our kids.
I'd love to hear from you. If you have any questions about The Common Core Standards, pop them in the comments and I will do my best to address them during this series.
Common Core Link of the Week: Common Core State Standards Initiative
