I see a great deal of negative comments in regard to Common Core here on the fire, various other forms of media, and from local people. Now I've been involved in the process on a district level, and I'm really not seeing a lot to be dissatisfied with other than that our particular MT version is poorly organized. The biggest complaint that I've heard from those involved is that it was implemented too quickly and the bugs aren't all worked out. Otherwise, the curricular content is virtually the same as what we had before. The curricular pacing is the only aspect of our curricula that we've had to adjust in any way. The SBAC test is online and has caused some districts problems if they lack bandwidth or available computers, but it will be much cheaper in the long run. Test results are expected to be much more useful in identifying areas of weakness in individual content areas. Where is all of this hype coming from? I just don't see it at all, and I'd be right there with every other dissatisfied individual if there were some sort of a push for a liberal slant to studies or a dumbing down of the curricula. Would someone please explain exactly why it is that you take exception to CC?
CC simply provides a baseline for what is taught. A quality school will exceed the requirements of CC in many cases, but can only go so far. One has to remember that a public school educates low aptitude children alongside those with high aptitude. AP classes and advanced electives are the means with which public schools are able to provide higher level learning in core subject areas. I'm not familiar with the gobbledegook you refer to, but I suspect that what you are hearing is your state's version of CC or possibly just that of an individual district. There is a lot of leeway when it comes to how CC is approached. I suspect everything that comes from this administration of being something heinous, like many here. With that in mind, however, all of the ridiculous things I've seen to date that have been attributed to CC, have been state or local efforts.
You seem to be a very sincere person and your inquiries indicate interest in acquiring useful knowledge. But, am thinking that your educational aim and expectations may be lower than you think.
You are interested in a public school situation and you are seeking "dissatisfiers" - not a very lofty aim - and that is the primary fault with CC or anything like it. One goal of CC is to avoid dissatisfiers and resulting dissatisfaction by those being cheated. The aim is a low common expectation so that many, many underachieving students, teachers, familes and schools will feel great because they are at, or even above, some acceptable "norm" while their outcomes actually are inferior.
So - all can feel good about meeting the "expectations" without acknowledging that the expectations are low and the results even lower. This is classic "dumbing down" to satisfy the teeeming masses who do not yearn to breathe deep knowledge, excellent skills and the ability to think critically. Those who know anything about Maslow's hierarchy of needs will tend to get the point.
Once again - you seem sincere and well-meaning and, although i have not read the posts previous to this, I would bet that you have been handed a load of critique and some bad gas along with it. Some people do care deeply about the future of their kids/grandkids and this country, and they will see through the watered down charade.
I do not know and therefore cannot critique the specific CC effort at your school, but I well know the pernicious and demeaning intent of such deleterious schemes. A lot of people will drink the CC Kool Aid - but I hope not any parent, student or school with whom I have any influence.
Take a moment and think about the greatest teachers, best students and finest schools you have known. Would they even give CC the time of day? There is NO SUBSTITUTE for excellence - the high satisfier - in teaching, learning and parenting. Why not expect and demand the best and ignore the jargon and poor excuses?
This went on too long, but there is nothing more important on here tonight - or almost any night.
