Ques about Common Core

Should we be against common core or just against the testing that the Common Core is requiring?

I belong to a couple of "Opt Out" groups on FB because I don't like that Pearson/capitalism/commerce are so heavily involved in the curriculum and I don't like the idea of my children being tested so much.

My oldest is in K and the homework I'm seeing him come with seems OK. He's a bright kid and already knows how to read (even chapter books right now), so it seems like a breeze for him. The wording and instructions are certainly confusing - even I am stumped at some of the phrases used in the explanations -- but he's starting out with this curriculum so I'm presuming he and his younger brothers will be ok learning this way. Is it bad to Opt out of the testing? What's the consequence to him (and the district, I guess) if we opt out?
TIa.

Re: Ques about Common Core

Re: Ques about Common Core

I'm not in the classroom any longer but I still have to be up on CC. My take is that the standards are mostly fine. It's the implementation that's the problem- all the testing especially.

I also have a friend whose 6th grader has a learning disability. He is bright but needs more time than other kids to grasp the work, but the way the standards are being implemented isn't allowing for what he needs, and I am sure he's not the only one.

The Common Core standards aren't radicially different from the standards that NYS used to have in place. My issue isn't with them- it's the way companies are making tons of money and the kids are being tested up the wazoo.

But I also think APPR is playing a role (but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.) My first grader had a test in library that was given in 2 30 minute sessions- I don't know if that's Common Core or APPR related.

Ques about Common Core

It's not necessarily the standards but HOW it's being implemented and WHO is making decisions. The premise is fine. I'd rather create my own curriculum based upon the standards than have to use the cr@p that we are being forced to use because it's sneaky and underhanded. I know my kids. I can teach them just fine. But the publishing companies DON'T know the kids. In fact, they don't seem to know kids at all. That's the problem.

Ques about Common Core

Another think behind the standards is how reading is being taught. Now children will be expected to analyze and deconstruct text which is fine and dandy but imo is NOT appropriate for k-2 or 3 when they REALLY need to learn how to read. I teach 1st and we just spent 3 weeks on analyzing Stellaluna and comparing it to Frog and Toad. THREE WEEKS! The thing is this...Stellaluna is a wonderful book. As a read aloud. It's not a first grade text. Maybe 25% of the kids in first grade can actually read along with the teacher. *Maybe*.

In a nutshell, the problem with CC is that it is stripping away from the teachers the ability to teach TO OUR CHILDREN. It's not only telling us WHAT to teach (which is fine) but HOW to teach. We are now supposed to teach reading and math in these new ways. Problem is...the old ways were working just fine. There are more underlying causes as to why children aren't succeeding. THAT'S what needs to be re-evaluated. The education system has been producing BRILLIANT people. Granted, not every teacher is great and I get that. However, it's other factors that need to change. Parenting needs reform. Mental Health Care needs reform. Special Education needs reform.

I'll put it this way. Society needs to change. Parents need to value education from the start. Children with special needs (academic AND mental) need appropriate placement, not to be placed in a class with 30 kids to save money. Does teaching need to change? Yes. Teachers must ALWAYS adapt to their class. And many don't. Teaching is a profession that requires you to keep up with new things. But that isn't the underlying problem. The Dept. of Education keeps reinventing the wheel hoping some new program or method will solve all of its problems and produce successful people into society. But it won't. Not when society won't change.

Message edited 10/9/2013 6:24:07 AM.

Ques about Common Core

The common core standards are not so bad in itself. It's the forced implementation of them that is unfair. The standards are tied to the state tests which is tied to the APPR. Many districts bought into common core based programs without really looking closely into the program. My district bought into the expeditionary program on engageny.org. Every single lesson is scripted!!!! And one size fits all. No room for differentiated learning for my struggling students. The math is overwhelming since we're teaching from Go Math and the engageny math modules. I can go on and on with this but I'm tired of talking about it. I've been teaching 17 years and I've never shed so many tears as I have this year already. Im drowning in paperwork etc along with my students. Parents etc need to educate themselves on the true meaning behind common core- corporate $$$$. If you have any questions, contact commissioner king. Oh wait that's right. He cancelled all of his furure town hall meetings including the one schedules for tonight in Garden City. It makes me sick how our education system is based on corporate greed and dollars.