common core

[moostraks]

How do you think common core is corrupting the education system?

When I first became aware of ccss several years back, I started by following the money to see where this originated and the skill set with which the board of creators was composed. Then I noticed how top secret the implementation has been and researched police and treatment of those who oppose ccss. When discussing education one should be interested in the concerns of the parents and the people who will be implementing the standards, teachers, but research the behavior of those demanding the implementation of common core. They are fervent about the necessity of its implementation and yet it is untested. Which makes me ask why the rush and why such extremism and secrecy? Why was there no true testing of the efficacy of the product they are trying to sell us and why all the fear mongering to ensure its implementation?

Then came the complaints regarding increase in testing and the skills necessary for success in testing, There is also the huge problem for implementation for students with special needs. No consideration was allowed for any student who is incapable of being on the same page with certain standards. The change in focus of the curriculum so that it deals with testable skills (dropping skills such as penmanship) and changing the focus so we have competent workers instead of educated adults with a specific political mindset (over emphasis on non-fiction by graduation and questionable subject matter such as rewriting the amendments). I have a huge problem with the tracking which will control both teacher and students.( really how much more creepy can you get than biometric bracelets?) Eventually if this becomes fully implemented there is no reason I can see why they will not force it upon all manners of education. The argument being used is "for the children" and the necessity for a child to be on the same page as their peers for the purpose of leaving no gaps in the event they might change schools. So there is no reason to exclude private schools or homeschools as any student might need to switch and so all should be on the same page.

The corruption is from a small number of politically connected corporate interests, textbook creators, and testing agencies who have a specific end goal. These standards are not from those who have the best interests of the specific child in mind, which is why educational goals need to be created by those with the nearest association to the ones being educated. Children are not machines and trying to make all of them on the same page is a recipe for disaster educationally and incredibly dangerous to individual liberty.

 

[buenijo]

I support the arguments made by Acala. Common Core is not the problem. The underlying premise of centralized control in education is the problem. Take the focus off Common Core, and do this mainly because you probably have no idea what it is (I'm communicating to everyone). You're probably conflating the two issues - that is, you're probably attacking Common Core as representing the trend of centralized education. While this has truth, it ultimately is a straw man. Reject Common Core, but reject it as a tool of an overreaching federal government. Do not address its content, and do this EXPLICITLY. Emphasize that you reject it NOT based on its content, but based on the source.

Incidentally, I looked into the math standards for Common Core, and quite frankly I think it provides very good guidelines for educators. In particular, there is a heavy emphasis on discouraging the use of algorithms in solving problems. Rather, there is a focus for the students to achieve a conceptual understanding of the process, and with a final desire for the student to think independently about solving problems. There is not a single way to solve a problem, and this is particularly true for more complex problems. The goal of a formal education in math should be first to understand the dynamics of the problem. This kind of training can be useful in training the mind to solve more complicated problems in the future. Do we really want students to apply rote procedure? I assure you that this is generally how math has been taught during the last several decades, and anything that changes this should be adopted - UNLESS IT IS A MANDATE by the U.S. federal government that has no authority to make such mandates in education. However, again, reject it on these grounds and NOT on an incomplete (or nonexistent) understanding of the program. If the U.S. Department of Education should exist at all, then it should be strictly limited to an advisory capacity.

NOTE: Let me tell you what likely happened with the math problem posted by Danke. The student likely did not pay attention in class, and like many young math students he/she desired to get through the tedious math homework as quickly as possible, and with as little effort as possible (meaning the desire to apply a rote algorithm/procedure rather than actually thinking about the problem). I suspect the teacher purposefully did not offer a formal procedure for solving the problem (at least I hope the teacher didn't do this). When the student requested help from the father, then of course the father considered it absurd. After all, he takes his foundation in math for granted, and considered it absurd to go through a "convoluted" procedure to solve such a simple problem. OF COURSE the problem is simple, and it should be solved in the simplest manner available. However, this should NOT be done until the underlying dynamics are understood. I have the experience to know that many and possibly most young math students (and many adults) would apply the standard rote procedure to solve this simple problem (and likely get the correct answer). However, many of the same students and adults often struggle with problems that require abstraction (i.e. LOGIC). The difference between the student who can ACE algebra, trig, calculus, and higher math and physics courses is their capacity for ABSTRACTION. This cannot be fostered with an emphasis on rote mechanical procedures. The inherently curious students often achieve this training indirectly by their looking deeper into problems (finding new ways to solve them, often developing their own algorithms/procedures, and visualizing problems in unique ways). I had this tendency. I have trouble memorizing procedures. Therefore, I had to make up my own algorithms. Even as an adult I found it necessary to derive formulas while taking math and physics exams because my memory is unreliable. I achieved a very good foundation in math and science in the process including the earning of high A's in all four calculus and all five physics classes I have completed. I believe this can be encouraged by instructors, but it will not be done by applying a standard procedure. Again, and I cannot emphasize this enough, most young students are lazy. They will seek the path of least resistance. If you give them a way out with rote procedure, then that is the path most will take. The final result is a large proportion of the student population unprepared for and intimidated by the physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics in general.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Very good post, buenijo. The transition has been happening for years. Initially it was a kind of re-education for the teachers themselves. A lot of the material was focused on that aspect alone.

There is just so much of what you have shared here that I'd like to discuss further but have to go out at the moment. You're spot on. I'll get back here later. Very good post though. You've been around the classroom first hand I assume? It looks like it from your posting.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Thought I throw this lite snack into the mix of messing with American children by the FEDS.

Elementary School Concept Development Units - Data Analysis - NSA/CSS

 

[GunnyFreedom]

I have a close friend who is a third-grade teacher in a public school. She is also an avid Ron Paul supporter. We marched together, posted signs, and went to the meetups. She believes that government should get out of education entirely.

I had dinner with her last night and took the opportunity to ask her about Common Core, which her school has adopted. She likes it. She says it is a solid curriculum that is a significant upgrade to what they have been doing, especially in math and language.

Just a data point for y'all.

Federal Gov't threatens to cut funds of first state to drop common core standards

Good job getting the government out of education entirely.

 

[PRB]

I have a close friend who is a third-grade teacher in a public school. She is also an avid Ron Paul supporter. We marched together, posted signs, and went to the meetups. She believes that government should get out of education entirely.

I had dinner with her last night and took the opportunity to ask her about Common Core, which her school has adopted. She likes it. She says it is a solid curriculum that is a significant upgrade to what they have been doing, especially in math and language.

Just a data point for y'all.

I am open to hearing why she thinks so. If you have details, that'd be awesome, thanks!