An award winning Principal discusses the problems with Common Core Testing
Posted by Robbie53024 11 years, 1 month ago to Education
“A fool with a tool is still a fool. A fool with a powerful tool, is a dangerous fool.” That is how school reform expert, Michael Fullan, describes the implementation of Common Core State Standards in the United States. Although the idea of common standards based on high learning expectations is an appealing concept, Fullan believes that leading with testing and sanctions will cause harm, enough to result in the ultimate demise of the Common Core.
Many have been lulled into believing whatever they are told, particularly by gov't. Others merely listen to the lies and don't bother to investigate themselves (that's work, you know). And still others, the majority I'm afraid, don't really care - even if everything that the opponents of CC say is true, those people just don't care.
The current crew in power is very clever and are skilled at lying with the truth. For example - they state in the commercials that this is not a gov't mandate, which is technically true. But, if you take Race to the Top federal money, one of the requirements is to implement CC (and the teachers unions have pretty much mandated that the school systems will take Fed money). Another one is that this doesn't mandate a curriculum - which is true for up to 15%, which is all that is allowed to be "customized."
I've personally read through some of what they call "standards" and they are anything but. They are wishy washy and so full of interpretation that in many cases you can insert just about anything you want and satisfy the "standard."
There are other aspects that are not specifically CC but come along for the ride as it were. There's a database of info that will follow children through their entire lives it seems - literally from birth through at least whatever higher education they might take. And that database isn't merely grades and conduct, it includes medical, familial, family financial, gun in the home, parents drinking, parents political party affiliation, etc.
There's also a corollary set of "standards" on human sexuality that are not independent, but are meant to be integrated across all disciplines - math, science, reading. So the kids will not merely get a math exercise on how many people live in a family (counting exercise) but will get a family with two mommies or two daddies.
This is all being done to "fundamentally transform" our country. And it is being done more rapidly and effectively than most realize.
So assuming the SAT and ACT retain their validity and veracity in the face of the CC onslaught, you should be able to detect the effects on your students performance in a few years. Lets hope its not the "dumbing down" its projected to be.
Lucky => a lot of damn hard work!