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Common Core: What’s Next for School Systems?
posted by: Ruthie | January 11, 2013, 07:35 PM   

This week, AAE staff has the pleasure of attending the American Enterprise Institute's event entitled, "Common Core: What's Next for School Systems?" The panel included several influential education advocates including, Eric J. Becoats, superintendent of Durham Public Schools, David Coleman from the College Board, John Deasy, superintendent of Los Angeles Public Schools, and Joanne Weiss from the U.S. Department of Education. The panel addressed the various concerns and developments associated with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), currently adopted by 45 states.

The AEI panel was kicked off with the question, "How do we convince teachers that CCSS is something to be taken seriously?" Becoats responded to the question by citing the overwhelming amount of data in North Carolina demonstrating students are currently performing at varying levels. Panelists agreed that these standards were critical to ensuring student success.

The panel continued by stressing that the Common Core Standards were one of the first reforms ever to be anchored in the classroom. Education reformers and CCSS supporters claim that this new measurement is founded in pragmatism and professional development, unlike many previous reforms. Several of the panelists cited the importance of integrating technology into the standards, providing teachers with better resources, and giving students greater opportunities.

In addition, panelists agreed that the CCSS will be most effective when teachers collaborate. One of the most unique qualities of the Common Core is that, unlike other reform measures, it will not occur on a federal level. Because the CCSS is a state-lead initiative, the discussion among teachers and school administrators about implementation will be "lively and dynamic."

Weiss praised the CCSS for reversing the downward spiral of standards under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). "NCLB was incentivizing people to dumb-down standards. CCSS enables quality and creates conditions for a high standard of learning."

The panel also addressed the reading standards mandated by the CCSS. Instead of seeing the requirement for 70% of high school reading to be non-fiction as limiting, panelist David Coleman stressed it broadened the curriculum and expanded reading to other subject areas.

The panel concluded by citing the importance of cautious and vigilant implementation of the CCSS. Like any other reform measure, the panelists agreed CCSS requires teachers to be well-educated on its implementation and careful in its approach.

Click here to view the panel discussion.

What do you think about the Common Core State Standards?
Comment below.

Comments (1)Add Comment
Common Core will solve nothing
written by Andreew, January 19, 2013

"How do we convince teachers that CCSS is something to be taken seriously?"

I'm sorry, but what? There is nothing you can say or do that will convince me that the Common Core State Standards are positive for education. The standards, are simply that, standards. If you still have bad instruction, it doesn't matter what standards are being taught. The quote almost presupposes that educators are stupid and need to be told what to think and do.

I love how the proponents of Common Core continuously tell us that the standards will suddenly fix all the woes that plague American education. Their evidence is...still waiting...still waiting...yeah....still waiting...

The Common Core is an encroachment on every state's sovereignty that accepts them. I applaud the states (the very few of them) that have had the courage to ignore these standards. In my state, Common Core was hoisted upon our schools with little to no input from citizens and local school districts. In the end, the Common Core is a one-size-fits-all curriculum that will burn a lot of money but change little in our nations schools.

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