The Common Core's Fundamental Trouble

Valerie Strauss examines how a lot being said about the Common Core standards is inaccurate, but she first discusses the positive claims made for the Common Core. Strauss then points out that the “Common Core State Standards” are misnamed because they actually are not state standards; she explains, “they’re national standards, created by Gates-funded consultants for the National Governors Association (NGA)”. Like Ravitch, Strauss points out that these Common Core standards haven’t been tested in real schools anywhere. Therefore, there is no evidence that they prepare students for college and the real world. Strauss says, “the new Common Core tests will be considerably harder than current state assessments, leading to sharp drops in scores and proficiency rates”. She brings up the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) forum that failed in both raising academic performance and narrowing gaps in opportunity and outcomes. “In reality, NCLB’s test scores reflected the inequality that exists all around our schools.” These tests showed that millions of students weren’t meeting existing standards, and the sponsors of the Common Core concluded that more challenging tests would be the answer. Strauss strongly disagrees with this and believes that it will cause more high school dropouts than it will prepare students for college. Overall, she does not think that adopting the Common Core Standards will change the game for the better.

Although there are many positive claims made for the common core, there may be just as many negative claims. Of course it would be revolutionary if this “Common Core project” could help students be better prepared for college and change things for the better in schools across the world. However, this truly may not be the answer. Both Ravitch and Strauss pointed out that there is no evidence that the Common Core standards are going to be successful. If the No Child Left Behind forum showed so many failing schools, why would it be a good idea to create more difficult tests? There are numerous schools that are considered poor and failing. If students in these schools are unable to pass these tests, what makes anyone think that they are going to pass harder ones? This doesn’t make much sense to me. I do agree with Strauss that this would only cause more dropouts. The Common Core standards certainly have many positive aspects about it, but as Ravitch said in her article, they may not be for everyone. Every school should use what works best for them. 

The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards

Diane Ravitch argues that the Common Core standards are not the most revolutionary advance in the history of American education. Forty-five states have agreed to adopt the Common Core national standards. According to Ravitch, the state of Massachusetts agreed to this “in order to win millions in new federal funds”. Common Core promoters advertise that the adoption of the Common Core standards is absolutely vital for this success of students. They also insist that the Common Core standards “are all that stand between us, and economic and military catastrophe”. Ravitch disagrees with these promoters since there is no evidence of any of these claims. She states, “there is no evidence that those who study these standards will be prepared for careers, because there is nothing in them that bears any relationship to careers”. Diane Ravitch makes clear, “the biggest fallacy of the Common Core standards is that they have been sold to the nation without any evidence that they will accomplish what their boosters claim”.

Prior to reading this article, I was completely for the adoption of the Common Core standards. However, Ravitch made some excellent points that caused me to think about it more. It is true that there is absolutely no evidence of any claims that promoters have. So many are completely ready to jump into the adoption of the Common Core standards without thinking twice about it. Is it really necessary for ALL states to adopt this? I agree with what Ravitch said, “states should do what works best for them”. She also points out, “as more money is allocated to testing and accountability, less money is available for the essential programs and services that all schools should provide”. I agree that our priorities are confused. I do not disagree with the Common Core standards, however, I do agree that they are not for everyone. 

How Teachers Are Integrating Tech Common Core

Fred Sitkins, Elementary School Principle in Michigan, explains how teachers are integrating tech common core. Schools all around the world are straying from using traditional educational models and beginning to incorporate more technology. Sitkins explains how students are able to dig much deeper and learn more with devices such as iPads and iTunes U. He believes that adopting this new common core allows teachers to “focus on teaching students how to learn opposed to remembering”.

I believe that this article provides great insight about integrating tech common core. I also believe that this is the perfect time to adopt the Common Core State Standards. With devices such as iPads, for examples, students can expand their learning far beyond the classroom. However, some negative aspects to this could be students becoming distracted and logging on to social media websites. The positive outweighs the negative, in my opinion, and I am excited for what the future holds concerning the Common Core State Standards. 

Introduction

My name is Lauren Ashlee Alford, and I am from McComb, MS. I am an Elementary Education major here at the University of Southern Mississippi and hope to someday teach English to Elementary students.I am a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and love being involved here on campus.In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends, swimming, shopping, crafting, and doing anything outdoors. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl. When I was a child, I loved playing "school" with my friends and especially loved when it was my turn to be the teacher. After I graduate, I will finally be able to live out my dream job of being a teacher.