Until now, I have refrained from posting about the Common Core. Not because I am afraid of what people will think about my opinions, but because I am frustrated with what I see plastered all over Facebook concerning the Standards. I am not pro-CC, far from it. However, I think the best way to foil a movement is to post unsubstantiated information as fact in order to create outrage. The biggest problem I see is the confusion between curriculum and common core. They are not the same thing. Common Core is a set of standards used to set expectations for what skills our students should be learning in order to succeed. Many of the posts I have seen have been outrage over curriculum. For example, the worksheet over the hair clip that eluded to an adulterous husband was printed out online and given out to third graders. It was in fact a real worksheet, given out to a 3rd grade class in Tulsa. A friend of mine's niece was in that class. (I realize it may have been given to others as well) It was completely inappropriate, no question. However, it was no direct result of the Common Core. There is a plethora of curriculum and lesson plans out there aligned with the common core that are worthless, in my opinion. Just as there has been for every set of standards. I only bring this up because if the community takes a stance on "facts" that are not facts, then the movement is doomed to fail. Failure is not an option, the stakes are too high. So many great people are out there fighting hard for our children and their futures.
My personal, biggest fear with C.C.... After going through the standards for elementary students I have already began to see a huge gap between what is expected and what I was taught is developmentally appropriate. Try and line up the development of a child's brain with the expectations of Common Core and you will quickly see a problem. It gets even worse when you realize that there is this black hole between what level a student should be comprehending material and the level in which students qualify for extra help. This is where, I feel, a large number of kids will fall through the cracks.
Some of the best advice I have gotten, and I may be biased, was from my husband. He told me that it is easy to oppose anything and that in order to take a stance you need the following;
1. A clear understanding of all of the facts. Do actual research.
2. The ability to point out the positives about what you are opposing. If you can't think of one good thing, then you should probably do more research.
3. An alternative. Okay, you don't like this.. What should we do instead?
This is all just my opinion, I am no expert. I have tried to do as much unbiased research as I can, but I'm positive my own opinion is flawed in one way or another.. or 10. :)
