Chuck,

I don't think you're understanding what Common Core is. It is standards that are developed through an evidenced based testing system that is also internationally benchmarked, meaning it is on par with what is being taught in other countries.

The problem isn't with the material itself, it is with the lack of rigorous intensity and additional strategies used to teach the material. Common Core is not strategies, and the problem is not with Common Core.


Dan,

Physically you may not reach the top floor, but cognitively I know you do. You clearly have no understanding of how the educational system works, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt and try to explain since I know you aren't as stupid as EVO or dwatkins.

If there is one thing people should take away from this it's that Common Core does not dictate how teachers teach material to students. Teaching strategies for understanding the material is left up to the discretion of individual teachers. This is where the problem lies; often students learn a variety of strategies for getting answers (particularly with math) instead of focusing on a single traditional way, and learning it through vigorous repetition until it becomes second nature. Valuable time is lost in vigorous repetition because teachers are focusing too much time trying to accommodate all student learning styles by teaching a variety of strategies. This is the problem, and it has almost nothing to do with Common Core.

Piper gave the most fitting example of this.



So anyway, Dan, the reason we don't measure up to the rest of the world is for a variety of reasons. We pay our teachers [Bleeeeep!] salaries, so nobody of academic excellence or intelligence wants those jobs. The people who should be teaching our kids are working in other sectors that pay much better $$$ for their smarts. Also, like I had mentioned earlier, we are the only country in the world that is legally required by law to educate everyone regardless of any of the factors mentioned in my previous post. This is a costly endeavor, is also one reason why teacher pay sucks, and why much time is diverted away from focusing on teaching in one specific way. Administration and districts poorly spending tax dollars plays a big role in it as well and is an entirely different issue unrelated to Common Core but I digress.

As far as myself and my wife both not being credible sources is also a testament to your lack of understanding. I work closely with school systems in the development of Individualized Education Plans, and require extensive use of statistical analysis in my day to day work to establish measurable goals and progress monitor. My Master of Science degree speaks to this. In working with children in an outpatient counseling setting, I work with children in home and focus on counseling and behavior analysis. What I observe are many kids with [Bleeeeep!] home lives that do not have all of their basic needs met, and then are expected to be on par in learning with children who have parents that feed them, put a roof over their heads, love them, and help them with their homework if needed. You would be surprised how many parents don't do any of these things.

My wife has a better understanding of Common Core because it gives her the framework of what her students must learn to do. It is the material, and not the strategies, which you would know if you actually spent 5 minutes researching it.

And if you want something warm and fuzzy go ahead and pound your fist into sand and stick it you know where. I know you are a lot more intelligent than you are sounding.



Matt