Follow the Link to investigate the ELA and Math Common Core Standards which Nevada has adopted.
Hot Topic: Common Core Curriculum Standards
When I announced to family and friends that I was changing careers to enter into teaching, the number one question I got was regarding my stance on common core. Not having any children of my own and having been out of public school for years, I didn't have a clue to what they were asking. When I started courses and observations, I began to realize that teachers also had individual opinions about the common core and their assessments. I've personally come to the conclusion that I will support and uphold common core standards and assessments in my individual class, because that is what is required of me by my state and district since Nevada has adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
However, for the sake of being well informed and being aware that this is a hot button issues for many parents, teachers, and administration, I wanted to be aware of the agreement.
Only 45 states have embraced the ELA and math standards set forth in the 2010 CCSS initiative. A primary motivation to adopting the practices was the additional benefits and funding that could be grated through the Race to the Top program if states promised to adopt the standards or equally high standards. The purpose of the CCSS is to establish a consistent educational standard for each grade in each sate with the ultimate goal that each student is prepared for higher education or the workforce.
Supporters of the CCSS state that the goals and standards that standards create an equal playing field and will eventually allow for targeted intervention. The also say that the CCSS assessment prevents tests from being manipulated or influenced by teachers that fear backlash of poor scores. They also state that the standards are aligned with college and workplace expectations. Additionally, the standards from one grade to another are scaffolded so there is logical movement between disciplines and content.
Critics of the CCSS do not seem to clump themselves behind a single stance. Some critics refuse to accept the standards at all, some refuse to accept the assessments, and some would prefer some influence or transparency in the decisions. Some critics would prefer CCSS to be altered to allowed school, state, and area flexibility. For example, the state of Massachusetts states that the standards do not adequately prepare their students for their local and regional colleges and universities. They would like to have some flexibility in increasing their standards or altering them to fit needs of their local work force. Other states like Utah, refuse to participate in the assessments associated with CCSS. Many are criticizing the cost of the specific assessments stating that they don't like the cost and the impact on their budget, they don't accurately assess the standards, and the regulations for the electronic implementation lacks technical support. Others criticize the fact that they were was no consideration for the opinion of the states, communities, or parents until after the adoption of the standards became a push. Additionally, aside from the supporters claims that a single year or two of testing of the CCSS isn't enough to show progress. the critics will show that most states have show a 30% percent decrease in performance and scores with the new CCSS adoption and assessments.
Although I've already determined my own stance on how I operate in my classroom, it was interesting to learn that the supports of the CCSS appear to have a united base of why they support it while the critics seem to have several bases and reason for not supporting the program. I think it best when approached by a someone that wants to discuss their opinion of CCSS, you should have have your own researched based opinion ready with evidence to support it - which ironically is a skill taught in a standard in the common core.
Although there are many articles out there that discuss the history and debate about CCSS, I recently found this one on Scholastic.com. I appreciated the plethora of facts and presentation of different views. Scholastic.com Article
Nevada Curriculum & Core Curriculum State Standards
Nevada Social Studies Curriculum | Hot Topic: Common Core Curriculum Standards
Nevada Social Studies Curriculum
Hot Topic: Common Core Curriculum Standards
When I announced to family and friends that I was changing careers to enter into teaching, the number one question I got was regarding my stance on common core. Not having any children of my own and having been out of public school for years, I didn't have a clue to what they were asking. When I started courses and observations, I began to realize that teachers also had individual opinions about the common core and their assessments. I've personally come to the conclusion that I will support and uphold common core standards and assessments in my individual class, because that is what is required of me by my state and district since Nevada has adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
However, for the sake of being well informed and being aware that this is a hot button issues for many parents, teachers, and administration, I wanted to be aware of the agreement.
Only 45 states have embraced the ELA and math standards set forth in the 2010 CCSS initiative. A primary motivation to adopting the practices was the additional benefits and funding that could be grated through the Race to the Top program if states promised to adopt the standards or equally high standards. The purpose of the CCSS is to establish a consistent educational standard for each grade in each sate with the ultimate goal that each student is prepared for higher education or the workforce.
Supporters of the CCSS state that the goals and standards that standards create an equal playing field and will eventually allow for targeted intervention. The also say that the CCSS assessment prevents tests from being manipulated or influenced by teachers that fear backlash of poor scores. They also state that the standards are aligned with college and workplace expectations. Additionally, the standards from one grade to another are scaffolded so there is logical movement between disciplines and content.
Critics of the CCSS do not seem to clump themselves behind a single stance. Some critics refuse to accept the standards at all, some refuse to accept the assessments, and some would prefer some influence or transparency in the decisions. Some critics would prefer CCSS to be altered to allowed school, state, and area flexibility. For example, the state of Massachusetts states that the standards do not adequately prepare their students for their local and regional colleges and universities. They would like to have some flexibility in increasing their standards or altering them to fit needs of their local work force. Other states like Utah, refuse to participate in the assessments associated with CCSS. Many are criticizing the cost of the specific assessments stating that they don't like the cost and the impact on their budget, they don't accurately assess the standards, and the regulations for the electronic implementation lacks technical support. Others criticize the fact that they were was no consideration for the opinion of the states, communities, or parents until after the adoption of the standards became a push. Additionally, aside from the supporters claims that a single year or two of testing of the CCSS isn't enough to show progress. the critics will show that most states have show a 30% percent decrease in performance and scores with the new CCSS adoption and assessments.
Although I've already determined my own stance on how I operate in my classroom, it was interesting to learn that the supports of the CCSS appear to have a united base of why they support it while the critics seem to have several bases and reason for not supporting the program. I think it best when approached by a someone that wants to discuss their opinion of CCSS, you should have have your own researched based opinion ready with evidence to support it - which ironically is a skill taught in a standard in the common core.
Although there are many articles out there that discuss the history and debate about CCSS, I recently found this one on Scholastic.com. I appreciated the plethora of facts and presentation of different views. Scholastic.com Article