I am curious how many people really understand the Common Core, or if they just don't like it because of what other people have said or because their child didn't do as well on the state exams. Do we want to raise a generation of kids that are held to a lower standard, so they get good grades and they feel good about themselves, or do we want to raise the standards and give our kids the opportunity to complete globally? I prefer the latter. The state exams do not count towards or against the students; it just identifies the kids that need academic intervention to meet the rigorous standards. The students are not told the grades to these tests…they are sent home to the parents, so those that are concerned with “hurt feelings”, it is up the parent whether or not to share the scores with their children. However; if we only focus on what we are good at, how do we ever improve?
I have experience with the Common Core from both sides…as a teacher and a parent. As a teacher, the Common Core has provided me opportunities to infuse challenging literacy assignments that bring a real world connection to the content tested on the Regents. So if anything, it has kept me from “teaching to the test”. As a parent of 2 gifted children (one of which is extremely successful despite having severe ADHD)…I want the standards to be high, I want them to have to work hard, and I want them to be successful in competitive college programs and work environments. I understand that I am very lucky to have such bright children and not every child is like mine, but again these state exams do not count against the child in anyway. They are only used to help the kids meet higher standards, and if we intervene with academic intervention in the lower grades, chances are the students will have greater success in high school, college, and the work force.
In my opinion it's less about the content, because I think most of us can agree that teaching the theory is much better long term than simply memorizing, and more about the delivery of the "program", the source, and, at this point, the inability of those at the state level to hear parents. It also appears that children who are behind and who have IEPs will still be tested on the exact same content without modification. The concern then becomes how that affects kids who are already struggling, not to mention the legal questions surrounding that since an IEP is a legal binding contract.
Perhaps if questions were actually answered when asked instead of evaded, which has been my experience, then there would be a little less controversy.
Of course, standardized testing, in general, has been controversial for years and the evidence has pointed towards it not being the most effective way to test. Perhaps if it were simply the curriculum and not yet another standardized test added to the kids' school year there would be less controversy. I am not exaggerating when I say that kids aren't even getting recess at school anymore, or if they are lucky to get it once per week. When I was a kid (walking uphill both ways in the snow) we had recess everyday and yet managed to still produce amazing and successful adults. In fact, maybe more so since we were also allowed to be children.
Then there is the controversy about how it affects teacher ratings. I am all for holding teachers accountable since they are earning my tax dollars and their effectiveness paves the road of my child's future, but I am completely unconvinced that this is the best option for doing so.
There is also the fact that schools, I dare say particularly rural and poor schools, are effectively being blackmailed to buy in. If we want money from the government then we have to do this and be quiet, again that is my perception. If it is not the reality I'd love to know what is.
Perhaps other parents and even teachers feel the same way I do.
I am all for our kids education and support the need in the United States to better educate our kids - it's sad that one of the greatest countries in the world is one of the worst at education (not to mention the high costs), but the common core curriculum is tough on teachers, students, and parents. Personally, I'm amazed at some of the ridiculous ways the kids are being taught to do simple math problems. What ever happened to "carry the 1"! Now it's this new-fangled way that takes longer, not to mention parents having to learn how to do it just to help their kids with their homework. As a parent I don't mind learning new ways if it's going to help my child succeed, but where I see a disconnect is when my child's homework all becomes my homework as well. Parents are suppose to support their children, not become teachers themselves. Math homework has come home on a blank page with the statement "parents, please create 10 addition or subtraction problems for your child to answer". Since when has it become the parents job to create the homework problems. My tax dollars pay for teachers and support this core curriculum, so why are the problems being provided by the teacher/school.
I voted no for one very basic reason: It's imposed by big government. Local school districts should decide how to educate children, not Washington or even Albany. One size does not fit all.
My neighbor has a first-grader in a local public school and there's two hours of homework to do on most days after school, according to her mother. It's so onerous it's discouraging, and in my opinion ridiculous.
Mine aren't and they don't. That's what I am saying, there are flaws. It seems to me that there should be recess for everyone, that there is a way to make it happen, but it is unclear why we don't have it. Perhaps it isn't even due to CC. I simply don't really know because the transparency isn't quite there yet, or it could be me not asking the right questions.
Do you want to know what I hate about all this stuff? People that use the 1st letter of words & expect that everyone on the freaking planet will know exactly what they are talking about. What is so wrong with spelling something out unless you can't spell at your age. What the hell are IEP's anyway or don't you know how to spell what they represent or do you think that because someone doesn't know what they are, they are stupid??
Same goes for all the so called words that the people that TEXT use & expect that everyone will know what they are trying to say.. I do NOT text from my phone, A telephone is for talking on & not taking pictures either.. This new genertation is all electronic & when do the kids get away from their phones & do something constructive OUTSIDE!! And if they lose their phone, their world comes to an end..
I'll stay back in the 50's & 60's & ya'll can get it on with your BS in the new millenium .. By the way, a 5K race is not 5 thousand dollars but every one uses the K now-a-days to represent 1000 dollars. Someone won 240K in the powerball last week!! Should have read 240M instead??
Math homework has come home on a blank page with the statement "parents, please create 10 addition or subtraction problems for your child to answer".
I'd send it back to school with some real hard questions on it & write on it that you expect the teacher to answer all your questions & then teach your children the answer & how to do that. If I was going to have to teach my own kids, I'd expect their paycheck every two weeks to be signed over to me..
And a helpful hint for when you run across acronyms that you are unfamiliar with that I use frequently - double-click on the acronym in question, then right click on it. The options that Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome (assuming you use one of those three) will give you include a search of the highlighted word or phrase. Left-click on the search option, and either Google or Bing will help find and answer.
Common Core should not be blamed for poor teaching. If a child comes home and doesn't know how to do their homework...then maybe they weren't taught very well in the 1st place. If a student is having difficult on an individual basis, I think it is important for parents to teach their children to be self-advocates. If they don't understand something...ask the teacher. We learn by asking questions. As a parent, I often email teachers with questions, but more importantly I encourage my children to speak to their teachers and take ownership of their education. I don't think parents are expected to teach their kids...many teachers use homework as a formative assessment that tells them if they kids understand the content or if further instruction is necessary. If everyone does well you move on, if not you go back a re-teach. Parents shouldn't be doing homework for their kids...they should have their children do their best and if it is not correct, then the teacher should realize what needs to be re-taught. At least that is what good teachers do.
As for IEP's and 504's...it really depends on the students' disabilities. I have had 100% success with my IEP and 504 students for many years, but these are very high functioning kids. In fact my daughter would qualify for a 504 because of her ADHD and she participates in Level 3 ACE...so a kid with disabilities shouldn't be automatically pigeonholed and given low expectations. Students with severe disabilities may have to take state exams at the elementary and middle school levels, but their achievement on these exams provides evidence for placing them in appropriate programs at the high school level.
Trust me...I feel the pain about teachers being evaluated based on student performance...it is like blaming a dentist for every patient that has a cavity...but the system, if implemented correctly, is set up the account for students with disabilities.
I have to agree w Sarah here. I remember well being diagnosed as a child w ADHD and being put into what was referred as special education. Like most ADHD kids I was hard to handle behaviorally due to my issues. I was dealing with it at the time that we were learning more about the affliction. Those of us w adhd usually have high iq's and are either strong in reading and writing, or mathematics. We also do well with learning by doing which is a more non traditional type of learning.
I was a reader, adhd people have the ability to spread our focus or attention over several things instead of one. So studying for us in a traditional school environment is hard. Once in special ed they found my reading level and comprehension to be in the 11th grade level, when I was in 4th grade. I was taught speed reading and developed my written communication abilites to match my reading. As a disability adhd can be very difficult to deal with until you develop coping skills. What made me such a valueable worker was my ability to learn easily by doing, and the ability to multitask effortlessly. Having the adhd the h stands for hyperactivity along with the attention deficit so I was able to tap this hyperness to make me a formidable one man workforce.
But there are bad things as well.... that hyperactivity unless channeled becomes a liability, creating agressiveness because of inner frustration. As some have noticed here you also develop a strong sense of "percieved" right and wrong. Which I exemplify by my stands on certain topics here that sometimes I feel violate the balance of what should be vs the reality of what is.
Foe me stimulant have a reverse effect, put a cup of coffee in front of me and I'll end up sleepy and lethargic.
Anyway from what I have read of this educational technique it could be very good for adapting to a student's needs but to force it to be used rather than appied like a tool where the situation calls for it shouldn't be done. We cannot argue that todays schoolchildren are much much more sophisticated than children as early as 25 yrs ago. Socially, technology wise and even intelligence are much more advanced in them. Howm many of us turn to our teens and pre teens to show us how to operate our smartphones, computers, entertainment systems and so on. Change in the education of our children is ineveitable but mandated styles of education seem counterproductive.
A good metaphor for this is building a bookshelf, you can do it as simply as stacking cinderblocks and planks. Or put together wood with nails screws and hinges and glass, Te end result is the similar. But to decide to teach bookshelf makers to just use glue, or screws kinda limits the end results. You still get a functional ends but are limited by what you were taught.
Sorry another rant but adhd is another subject that strikes a passionate soft spot for me. And I absolutely hate the implication of special education being remedial only. As technically those Doogie Howsers out there in college at 12 and 13 because of their genius are technically in special ed as well.
By the way Sarah, thank you for being an advocate for your daughter and her adhd. Being a 45 yr old that suffers from it and finding that my coping mechanisms slowly fade as I get older I know a little of the inner turmoils that she may deal with. From your comments I can tell you understand well and have adapted. My growing up I had to mostly find my own way as the issues of adhd were less understood. It makes me happy to see a little girl like yours or even a little boy like my grandson, having the tools that i didnt and the potential it opens up for them.
Good luck and God bless both all of your children, but especially your daughter that is gifted with adhd
Taxpayers should be aware of how much the Common Core is costing school districts. Purchasing all new materials and manipulatives to support our teachers who have to teach the new curriculum, printing/copying materials and resources...
Thanks Kyle...I teared up a little when I read your post because the description of your strengths and struggles described my daughter to a T. It is amazing how many parents and teachers misunderstand ADHD.
I think it's a challenge for
I think it's a challenge for students and teachers alike, but I like the way it focuses on the process, rather than just memorizing facts.
Give the kids the tools to find the answers, rather than teaching them the answers.
I will say, it's challenging just to help my third grader with his homework!
I am curious how many people
I am curious how many people really understand the Common Core, or if they just don't like it because of what other people have said or because their child didn't do as well on the state exams. Do we want to raise a generation of kids that are held to a lower standard, so they get good grades and they feel good about themselves, or do we want to raise the standards and give our kids the opportunity to complete globally? I prefer the latter. The state exams do not count towards or against the students; it just identifies the kids that need academic intervention to meet the rigorous standards. The students are not told the grades to these tests…they are sent home to the parents, so those that are concerned with “hurt feelings”, it is up the parent whether or not to share the scores with their children. However; if we only focus on what we are good at, how do we ever improve?
I have experience with the Common Core from both sides…as a teacher and a parent. As a teacher, the Common Core has provided me opportunities to infuse challenging literacy assignments that bring a real world connection to the content tested on the Regents. So if anything, it has kept me from “teaching to the test”. As a parent of 2 gifted children (one of which is extremely successful despite having severe ADHD)…I want the standards to be high, I want them to have to work hard, and I want them to be successful in competitive college programs and work environments. I understand that I am very lucky to have such bright children and not every child is like mine, but again these state exams do not count against the child in anyway. They are only used to help the kids meet higher standards, and if we intervene with academic intervention in the lower grades, chances are the students will have greater success in high school, college, and the work force.
Well said, Sarah. Thanks for
Well said, Sarah. Thanks for your insight.
In my opinion it's less about
In my opinion it's less about the content, because I think most of us can agree that teaching the theory is much better long term than simply memorizing, and more about the delivery of the "program", the source, and, at this point, the inability of those at the state level to hear parents. It also appears that children who are behind and who have IEPs will still be tested on the exact same content without modification. The concern then becomes how that affects kids who are already struggling, not to mention the legal questions surrounding that since an IEP is a legal binding contract.
Perhaps if questions were actually answered when asked instead of evaded, which has been my experience, then there would be a little less controversy.
Of course, standardized testing, in general, has been controversial for years and the evidence has pointed towards it not being the most effective way to test. Perhaps if it were simply the curriculum and not yet another standardized test added to the kids' school year there would be less controversy. I am not exaggerating when I say that kids aren't even getting recess at school anymore, or if they are lucky to get it once per week. When I was a kid (walking uphill both ways in the snow) we had recess everyday and yet managed to still produce amazing and successful adults. In fact, maybe more so since we were also allowed to be children.
Then there is the controversy about how it affects teacher ratings. I am all for holding teachers accountable since they are earning my tax dollars and their effectiveness paves the road of my child's future, but I am completely unconvinced that this is the best option for doing so.
There is also the fact that schools, I dare say particularly rural and poor schools, are effectively being blackmailed to buy in. If we want money from the government then we have to do this and be quiet, again that is my perception. If it is not the reality I'd love to know what is.
Perhaps other parents and even teachers feel the same way I do.
My kids are in the Batavia
My kids are in the Batavia school district and they get regular recess...
I am all for our kids
I am all for our kids education and support the need in the United States to better educate our kids - it's sad that one of the greatest countries in the world is one of the worst at education (not to mention the high costs), but the common core curriculum is tough on teachers, students, and parents. Personally, I'm amazed at some of the ridiculous ways the kids are being taught to do simple math problems. What ever happened to "carry the 1"! Now it's this new-fangled way that takes longer, not to mention parents having to learn how to do it just to help their kids with their homework. As a parent I don't mind learning new ways if it's going to help my child succeed, but where I see a disconnect is when my child's homework all becomes my homework as well. Parents are suppose to support their children, not become teachers themselves. Math homework has come home on a blank page with the statement "parents, please create 10 addition or subtraction problems for your child to answer". Since when has it become the parents job to create the homework problems. My tax dollars pay for teachers and support this core curriculum, so why are the problems being provided by the teacher/school.
I voted no for one very basic
I voted no for one very basic reason: It's imposed by big government. Local school districts should decide how to educate children, not Washington or even Albany. One size does not fit all.
My neighbor has a
My neighbor has a first-grader in a local public school and there's two hours of homework to do on most days after school, according to her mother. It's so onerous it's discouraging, and in my opinion ridiculous.
What Howard said. Socialism
What Howard said.
Socialism is a failed policy, it doesn't work, when will these NY idiots ever get it?
Mine aren't and they don't.
Mine aren't and they don't. That's what I am saying, there are flaws. It seems to me that there should be recess for everyone, that there is a way to make it happen, but it is unclear why we don't have it. Perhaps it isn't even due to CC. I simply don't really know because the transparency isn't quite there yet, or it could be me not asking the right questions.
Do you want to know what I
Do you want to know what I hate about all this stuff? People that use the 1st letter of words & expect that everyone on the freaking planet will know exactly what they are talking about. What is so wrong with spelling something out unless you can't spell at your age. What the hell are IEP's anyway or don't you know how to spell what they represent or do you think that because someone doesn't know what they are, they are stupid??
Same goes for all the so called words that the people that TEXT use & expect that everyone will know what they are trying to say.. I do NOT text from my phone, A telephone is for talking on & not taking pictures either.. This new genertation is all electronic & when do the kids get away from their phones & do something constructive OUTSIDE!! And if they lose their phone, their world comes to an end..
I'll stay back in the 50's & 60's & ya'll can get it on with your BS in the new millenium .. By the way, a 5K race is not 5 thousand dollars but every one uses the K now-a-days to represent 1000 dollars. Someone won 240K in the powerball last week!! Should have read 240M instead??
Math homework has come home
Math homework has come home on a blank page with the statement "parents, please create 10 addition or subtraction problems for your child to answer".
I'd send it back to school with some real hard questions on it & write on it that you expect the teacher to answer all your questions & then teach your children the answer & how to do that. If I was going to have to teach my own kids, I'd expect their paycheck every two weeks to be signed over to me..
I'm guessing that IEP in this
I'm guessing that IEP in this context stands for Individualized Education Plan.
What do you mean by "BS",
What do you mean by "BS", John?
:-P
And a helpful hint for when you run across acronyms that you are unfamiliar with that I use frequently - double-click on the acronym in question, then right click on it. The options that Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome (assuming you use one of those three) will give you include a search of the highlighted word or phrase. Left-click on the search option, and either Google or Bing will help find and answer.
Common Core should not be
Common Core should not be blamed for poor teaching. If a child comes home and doesn't know how to do their homework...then maybe they weren't taught very well in the 1st place. If a student is having difficult on an individual basis, I think it is important for parents to teach their children to be self-advocates. If they don't understand something...ask the teacher. We learn by asking questions. As a parent, I often email teachers with questions, but more importantly I encourage my children to speak to their teachers and take ownership of their education. I don't think parents are expected to teach their kids...many teachers use homework as a formative assessment that tells them if they kids understand the content or if further instruction is necessary. If everyone does well you move on, if not you go back a re-teach. Parents shouldn't be doing homework for their kids...they should have their children do their best and if it is not correct, then the teacher should realize what needs to be re-taught. At least that is what good teachers do.
As for IEP's and 504's...it really depends on the students' disabilities. I have had 100% success with my IEP and 504 students for many years, but these are very high functioning kids. In fact my daughter would qualify for a 504 because of her ADHD and she participates in Level 3 ACE...so a kid with disabilities shouldn't be automatically pigeonholed and given low expectations. Students with severe disabilities may have to take state exams at the elementary and middle school levels, but their achievement on these exams provides evidence for placing them in appropriate programs at the high school level.
Trust me...I feel the pain about teachers being evaluated based on student performance...it is like blaming a dentist for every patient that has a cavity...but the system, if implemented correctly, is set up the account for students with disabilities.
The poll should read: Is
The poll should read:
Is Common Core a continuation of the dumbing down of American students, or is it the conclusion of it?
I have to agree w Sarah here.
I have to agree w Sarah here. I remember well being diagnosed as a child w ADHD and being put into what was referred as special education. Like most ADHD kids I was hard to handle behaviorally due to my issues. I was dealing with it at the time that we were learning more about the affliction. Those of us w adhd usually have high iq's and are either strong in reading and writing, or mathematics. We also do well with learning by doing which is a more non traditional type of learning.
I was a reader, adhd people have the ability to spread our focus or attention over several things instead of one. So studying for us in a traditional school environment is hard. Once in special ed they found my reading level and comprehension to be in the 11th grade level, when I was in 4th grade. I was taught speed reading and developed my written communication abilites to match my reading. As a disability adhd can be very difficult to deal with until you develop coping skills. What made me such a valueable worker was my ability to learn easily by doing, and the ability to multitask effortlessly. Having the adhd the h stands for hyperactivity along with the attention deficit so I was able to tap this hyperness to make me a formidable one man workforce.
But there are bad things as well.... that hyperactivity unless channeled becomes a liability, creating agressiveness because of inner frustration. As some have noticed here you also develop a strong sense of "percieved" right and wrong. Which I exemplify by my stands on certain topics here that sometimes I feel violate the balance of what should be vs the reality of what is.
Foe me stimulant have a reverse effect, put a cup of coffee in front of me and I'll end up sleepy and lethargic.
Anyway from what I have read of this educational technique it could be very good for adapting to a student's needs but to force it to be used rather than appied like a tool where the situation calls for it shouldn't be done. We cannot argue that todays schoolchildren are much much more sophisticated than children as early as 25 yrs ago. Socially, technology wise and even intelligence are much more advanced in them. Howm many of us turn to our teens and pre teens to show us how to operate our smartphones, computers, entertainment systems and so on. Change in the education of our children is ineveitable but mandated styles of education seem counterproductive.
A good metaphor for this is building a bookshelf, you can do it as simply as stacking cinderblocks and planks. Or put together wood with nails screws and hinges and glass, Te end result is the similar. But to decide to teach bookshelf makers to just use glue, or screws kinda limits the end results. You still get a functional ends but are limited by what you were taught.
Sorry another rant but adhd is another subject that strikes a passionate soft spot for me. And I absolutely hate the implication of special education being remedial only. As technically those Doogie Howsers out there in college at 12 and 13 because of their genius are technically in special ed as well.
By the way Sarah, thank you
By the way Sarah, thank you for being an advocate for your daughter and her adhd. Being a 45 yr old that suffers from it and finding that my coping mechanisms slowly fade as I get older I know a little of the inner turmoils that she may deal with. From your comments I can tell you understand well and have adapted. My growing up I had to mostly find my own way as the issues of adhd were less understood. It makes me happy to see a little girl like yours or even a little boy like my grandson, having the tools that i didnt and the potential it opens up for them.
Good luck and God bless both all of your children, but especially your daughter that is gifted with adhd
What does BS stand for?
What does BS stand for?
Anyway, Billie is right. IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan.
Taxpayers should be aware of
Taxpayers should be aware of how much the Common Core is costing school districts. Purchasing all new materials and manipulatives to support our teachers who have to teach the new curriculum, printing/copying materials and resources...
Thanks Kyle...I teared up a
Thanks Kyle...I teared up a little when I read your post because the description of your strengths and struggles described my daughter to a T. It is amazing how many parents and teachers misunderstand ADHD.