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Not all conservatives are against it, including Jeb Bush (Jindal was even initially for it). My main problem with it is that it presents to students a radical curriculum change without adequately preparing those students who went their entire educational careers under a different model. If common core was started at the earliest ages, and then phased in over time, I'd be more willing to accept it. But I've seen common core work, and it's radically different (and more challenging) than anything I've seen at that level.
I'm not specifically against the concept, but against the implementation. There is just no such thing as a one size fits all solution, which is what common core is being handled as. That plus the fact that much is being developed to focus on those topics that match best to standardized testing, whereas the most important knowledge questions don't fit the standardized format.
CC will turn into another flavor of the month, like NCLB, new math, new-new math, whole language, read/say, etc. In a few years we'll be heading full speed at the next uncommon core or whatever they will call it then.
Personally, I would much prefer we get back to fundamentals in education and allow qualified teachers to actually teach (and no, I am not a teacher -- I am a scientist). If we go by the assumption, which almost all these programs are built on, that education was better in some undefined "past" then let's go back to what we used the. Sep-May school, tracking, basic home-ec, auto-mech, and shop for both boys and girls (life skills), then differentiate between college bound and trade bound students.
I'm not specifically against the concept, but against the implementation. There is just no such thing as a one size fits all solution, which is what common core is being handled as. That plus the fact that much is being developed to focus on those topics that match best to standardized testing, whereas the most important knowledge questions don't fit the standardized format.
CC will turn into another flavor of the month, like NCLB, new math, new-new math, whole language, read/say, etc. In a few years we'll be heading full speed at the next uncommon core or whatever they will call it then.
Personally, I would much prefer we get back to fundamentals in education and allow qualified teachers to actually teach (and no, I am not a teacher -- I am a scientist). If we go by the assumption, which almost all these programs are built on, that education was better in some undefined "past" then let's go back to what we used the. Sep-May school, tracking, basic home-ec, auto-mech, and shop for both boys and girls (life skills), then differentiate between college bound and trade bound students.
I agree with some of the points you are making such as the one size fits all solution, but I think your statement in bold is inaccurate. First, what do you mean by "all these programs." Second, I don't think these programs are based on an assumption that education was better in some undefined "past." I personally think we are regressing in education because of the need to introduce the latest education theory of the month into schools. I think it is difficult to distinguish between Common Core Standards and the actual implementation in schools. This is most apparent in elementary math classes where being able to do math problems is not sufficient; and at the secondary level where "deeper reading" approaches are being pushed that recommend spending a couple of weeks analyzing a document such as Martin Luther King's Letter from a Birminham Jail.
To the OP, I don't see this as a conservative vs. liberal issue, and I don't see a battle based on that division. I tend to be in favor of education standards but I feel Common Core will be a disservice to most students. It is impossible to prepare all students for college and is a huge waste of money to this country. The goal should be to push all students to their maximum potential. We can't do that until we realize that maximum potential is different for all students.
Last edited by villageidiot1; 01-03-2015 at 11:45 PM..
I'm not a conservative, but I oppose common core and any other silly scheme like it designed to perpetuate the counterproductive high stakes testing and classroom micromanagement.
I had no idea that teachers unions had so many conservatives in their ranks.
The things you learn on these boards!
In many places, especially where there is no collective bargaining, most teachers who join unions do so for the liability insurance. Having protection is sensible whether you support the unions or not.
Nearly everyone I know on both sides of the aisle (though most people I know are independents) is against Common Core.
You noticed that most Conservatives are against it, which is true, it's just that Conservatives and Independents are better informed and more aware.
Once Liberals start to analyze how crappy of a system 'Komen Kor!' really is then we as citizens can finally reject this nonsense being shoved down our collective throats by the Feds.
Nearly everyone I know on both sides of the aisle (though most people I know are independents) is against Common Core.
You noticed that most Conservatives are against it, which is true, it's just that Conservatives and Independents are better informed and more aware.
Once Liberals start to analyze how crappy of a system 'Komen Kor!' really is then we as citizens can finally reject this nonsense being shoved down our collective throats by the Feds.
Common Core isn't a Federal program. It's being adopted state by state and is promoted by some organization called The National Governors Association.
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I had no idea that teachers unions had so many conservatives in their ranks.
