tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2158157279489866895.post4885792081009972097..comments2024-03-13T06:04:34.407-04:00Comments on The 21st Century Principal: Common Core: Sound Education Practice or Bad Gamble?John Robinson Ed.Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14155145743617621924noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2158157279489866895.post-7542905750366673282012-11-30T07:29:29.887-05:002012-11-30T07:29:29.887-05:00What exactly is the "objective of the Common ...What exactly is the "objective of the Common Core Curriculum?" I know there are perhaps stated objectives, but there are also "hidden objectives" as well. Is it to give policymakers the ability to make comparisons for determining effective instruction and ed practice, or is it so politicians and others setting ed policy can "Brag about being #1 in the world, or having raised test scores?" The former rationale requires very cautious comparisons, because education systems like that in Finland are quite different from our own, not to mention the enormous differences in the structures and demographics of their society. The latter reason of "having bragging rights" assumes that what is being bragged about really has meaning. Fundamentally, I have not seen a test yet that was so meaningful as to have this kind of status. Then there's the whole idea of "competition" which assumes we are in competition with other countries on an educational level. When it comes to employment and jobs, businesses will choose the cheapest labor and workers over the most educated any day, especially if it is cheaper for them to train a person willing to work more cheaply. The whole assumption of education systems competing for economic superiority is a philosophical choice with which I disagree. Our school systems should be about building more than people to put in factories and furthering national economic interests. But that is a philosophical difference. Finally, the argument about "teaching children the same way" really does not apply with the Common Core. The Common Core by itself will do nothing to transform the classroom and classroom practice. In fact, it has the potential to reinforce what we've always done in the classroom, especially as tests come online and educators begin "to teach to the test." My skepticism about the "Common Core Gamble" is hardly answered by arguments that we need to do this because we need to compare, and we need the Common Core because we need to change the way we teach. First of all, I am not sure we can really compare nationally and internationally in any kind of meaningful way, and I'm not convinced that the whole idea of competition is going to do anything to bring about the education our kids need. Secondly, I am also not convinced that the Common Core is really going to change classroom practice. Efforts to influence classroom practice by changing standards haven't worked in the past, and I am convinced this is any different. Besides, there are much better ways to change teaching than by trying to implement new standards. I think healthy skepticism and criticism for the Common Core is very much warranted until it has proven itself.John Robinson Ed.Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14155145743617621924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2158157279489866895.post-88997292529486523632012-11-30T07:26:01.357-05:002012-11-30T07:26:01.357-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.John Robinson Ed.Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14155145743617621924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2158157279489866895.post-75850137686632550832012-11-29T22:45:24.947-05:002012-11-29T22:45:24.947-05:00Dear 21P
In my opinion, I believe we need to keep...Dear 21P<br /><br />In my opinion, I believe we need to keep an I on the objective with CCSS as a “starting point”. Looking at other countries should give a broader educational perspective. For example, Finland is top rated in education. Yes, it is a small country but all educational pedagogy and paradigms are in sync and will continue to evolve. In the US, each state has it's own educational pedagogy and paradigms which range from bad to excellent, but we have never achieved a good baseline as a nation. Looking at the state size, factors and conditions in each state provide the precedence of educational schema developed and implemented. These factors all have a direct effect with the stakeholders in that state and not nationally. <br />Basically, I am saying lets look to develop a national educational baseline for all states with CCSS. Use CCSS as a “starting point” then we can compete and evolve locally, nationally and internationally. We can keep building on this "baseline" with our educational innovation by empowering all educational stakeholders in the processes. Historically, without educational risk nothing will be achieved. “If we teach children the same way as we did yesterday, we rob them of the tomorrow.” John Dewy. It is impossible please everyone...that's life. Just being in the race can provide overall opportunity to grow, learn and develop. I sincerely believe having something to bet on in the race is better than thinking about weather it is a good or bad bet at all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127686873252541457noreply@blogger.com