Common Core Standards

Hi Everyone,

I watched the video that explained more about the Common Core Standards (CCS) in the elementary school level and it seems that the rigid lines for teaching and learning are bending and expanding. The box that once defined what and how subjects would be taught has maintained the “what” but “leaves the ‘how’ up to the teachers.” To me, this sounds like freedom; the bird cage door has finally been opened.

These CCS have so many advantages. Beginning with the ideal that all students across America will be learning from the same expectations thereby creating educational unity across the nation is enough to pique my interest. This is accomplished through the use of “domains” and “progressions.” By having the “domains,” or main standards that continue throughout Kindergarten through 5th grade, students have the opportunity to focus on fewer valuable concepts and therefore have more time to “internalize, practice, and learn what is being done in that grade.” Within these domains are then “progressions” which are a “coherent set of skills that progress and become more sophisticated with each grade.”

These more generalized standards allow for students to actually absorb what they are learning. They are able to share their thinking, dig deeper, and communicate by written and oral means. When they have to explain how they got their answers, teachers are able to see where students may be struggling and are given the room to support their students at the level they need. On the other hand, without the confinements of how students need to learn, those at a higher level are then able to expand their learning because questions often have “multiple answers and multiple ways to solve them.” In essence, these CCS “put the standards back into practical usage” for all levels.

A potential road block to this effort could come from the apparent ambiguity of these new standards. The “how” part of what educators are to teach could be interpreted differently within every classroom leading to confusion and frustration. I cannot help but think that the rigidity of the old standards were in place for a reason and, since this new system will be put into effect across the country, I fear that there will be some disappointments due to lack of clearly defined accountability. This is not to say that training will not be able to fix these problems but I am saying that in order for these to be effective in unifying the whole country, we should all be on the same page of understanding.

Nevertheless, the purpose of these CCS is not to turn the tables on education because, “90% of what they are asking for is already happening in the classrooms.” Their main goal, then, is to make educational systems think about “what is actually happening in the classrooms in an intentional way.” They are seeking to ask the questions, “Are students really learning?” and “Are they learning to their full potential?” These new standards are seeking to make the answers to both of these questions “yes” across the nation. I applaud their efforts.


Blessings,
Marissa Carney