Interviews about Common Core

Jessica D.

For this assignment I chose to interview my mother, Joyce, who just recently went back to Graduate School to obtain her Masters in Early Childhood Education. Having said that, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at a new teacher’s perspective of the Common Core Standards.

Are the Common Core Standards important?  Why/ Why not?

I feel that Common Core Standards are important because as educators (nation wide) we all need to be on the same page in regards to what content and curriculum we are teaching at each grade level.  For instance a typical developing child should be able to attend Grade 2 in Massachusetts and transfer to Arizona for Grade 3 and theatrically should not be behind in ELA or Math content being taught for the particular grade they are entering.  It does make sense that all children should be taught simultaneously the same content at each grade level.

 Do you think others in our community think the Common Core Standards are important? Why/ Why not?

I really think it depends what teacher population you are referring to; for instance a well seasoned veteran teacher probably feels that he/she covers the majority of concepts/content in the Common Core but might resent that they have to realign their teaching content/ methods to fully align with the Standards.

A newer teacher like myself (just completed my first year in a general education classroom) does not know anything but teaching according to the Common Core.

What are advantages of Common Core Standards?

Veteran teachers are able to enhance, adapt and modify the curriculum using their creativity to teach respective lessons not being tied down to scripted curriculum resources i.e. ELA anthology series or any Math curriculum.

What are disadvantages of Common Core Standards?

As a new teacher I was extremely overwhelmed with not having Common Core aligned curriculum, no materials or current resources (I taught at an inner city school).  As a result I spent a vast amount of time on the Internet trying to find, create and modify Common Core aligned lessons.

 How might the Common Core Standards be improved?

I think realistically they need to tried and tested (like most State Standards) and readjustments made accordingly.   

What do you believe teachers think about the Common Core Standards? Are they beneficial?

I think most teachers are worried that the Common Core Standards might not yet be properly aligned with standardized state testing, thereby skewing test results in their respective states.  Also I do not think teachers like the idea for some grade levels specific percentages are dictated to what content they have to teach: for example that they had to devote a percentage of time to fiction versus informational text, both of the aforementioned can help develop students to think critically and it should be left up to the discretion of the teacher how they would like to approach teaching critical thinking concepts.

 Do you think Common Core Standards are a “one-size-fits-all” approach to education?

Absolutely not, I think it is a start to standardizing the content/curriculum nationwide.  But many adjustments will need to be made for implementation to be ultimately successful.  Also I strongly feel that regional history that is taught in certain areas of our country should be maintained along with the Common Core and not replaced solely by the Common Core.

Do Common Core Standards benefit students with needs?

Personally, I have not had enough experience to know.  But according to an account I read about a principal in the Mid West whose school piloted the Common Core assessment, he stated that the failure rates rocketed upwards for students with the greatest needs.  Furthermore he stated that the exams looked like AP exams and were beyond the reach of many of his students.  What kind of message are we giving our students: we want them to feel successful, valued and confident not defeated!

Reflection:

In reflecting on my interview with my mother, I have found that we have similar opinions about the Common Core Standards. I agree with her that it is important to have curriculum across the nation so that students who move are able to successfully transfer into a new classroom having previously learned the same content as their peers. I also agree with my mother when reflecting upon the difficulties of new teachers not having curriculum (in certain school districts) that is aligned with the Common Core Standards, versus veteran teachers who may be easily able to adapt their prior content to align with the Common Core Standards. This then prompts me to wonder what veteran teachers think about the Common Core Standards – do they think they are beneficial, why/why not? In sum, it is clear to see that there are many different thoughts and opinions about the Common Core Standards, however, it is important for new teachers to become educated on these standards in order to follow the educational mandates.

Below is a picture of my mother and I.

Charlene

I asked my sister-in-law Lisa if she would be willing to sit down and answer a few questions about the Common Core standards initiative and she agreed to. Although her son (my cutie pie nephew) is only in kindergarten, she is interested in the legislation and wants to learn more about it. Lisa Goggin is a Salem State Alum who graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Business. She works at Massachusetts General Hospital as Coordinator of the Healing Garden at the Cancer Center which she also had a hand in designing.

Do you think the Common Core issue/debate is an important one?

Yes, I think it is a very important issue because if affects both the students and the teachers. The standards are supposed provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what students are expected to learn. The standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education so they will able to graduate from high school and be prepared for entry level work, college, or trade schools.

Do you think others in the community think this issue is an important topic?

Unfortunately, many of the parents and residents of my community do not even know what the common core standards are - I only know a little bit more than others because last year my son Samuel's pre-school teacher explained some of the "things that were coming down the pike." His teacher was not very concerned because with the standards as she understood them, she would be able to create the lessons and activities - just as long as the standards were met. Ms. Jody is a fairly new teacher (3 years) and loved being able to construct the curriculum to meet the needs of every child in her classroom.

In your own opinion, do you think that there are advantages for the Common Core standards?

Yes, but from what I have read and heard I think that the standards may help teachers to collaborate across state lines. Also, children who move from another state will be able to adapt easier and have more stability in school.

What are some disadvantages of the Common Core standards?

Well, my first concern was when I found out that not all the states have adopted the standards. I find it a bit disconcerting that if it is supposed to be a better approach than No Child Left Behind - then why are the four states not on board. I still need to listen to both sides and then I will be able to weigh in.

How might the policy be improved?

I think the authors of the Common Core went a little overboard when writing the standards - they should revisit the  obvious items like the use of technology and multi-media in the classroom. Some schools in the community have the technology and teachers who are trained to use and other school have neither the technology nor the teachers who have the ability to utilize it.

Does the policy need to be replaced?  

Maybe - I still need to learn more about the standards because the bigger question is, "What would we replace it with?"

What disagreements, if any, about Common Core exist in your community?

I don't think there are many disagreements if any, in fact the Beachmont Veterans Elementary School where Sam attends kindergarten, the school and faculty are thrilled with the standards and the added staff to help implement the standards. School administrators have hired a new math tutor and a reading specialist with some of the funds granted along with the Common Core.

For anyone who wants more information on the Common Core standards - take a look at:

1.    ab.mec.edu/curriculum/curricpdf/common-core.pdf‎

Special Thanks to my beautiful and intelligent sister-in-law Lisa.

Jessica M. 

 Suzie- substitute teacher:

Do you think that the common core is important?

Yes, I do feel that it is important. It helps align the curriculum so that everyone has common instruction as well as what we need to teach. It is a foundation for instruction. It is concrete, gives a common thing to focus towards. Years ago, it was not as important. All classes were the same from the publishers of books. The common core works from the bottom up in the form of layers, focusing on analyzing and figuring. However, I don’t feel that we are any more ahead than we were 20 years ago. It is a work in progress. It is complicated and ongoing. There is a lot of responsibility pout on to us teachers and this makes it difficult.

Do you think others in the community feel the same way as you do?

Yes, I do! During the team meetings all teacher have the same struggles and problems. Each of the teachers seems to have mutual concerns on how we are to get it all done. You have to be a genius in order to manage and plan according to the core. We are all overwhelmed most of time with the common core. I come in every weekend to prepare for everything for future weeks. It is a lot of extra work for teachers.

What are some advantages of the common core?

It is a model of instruction and it is a guide for teachers to use so that everyone is taught equally and evenly.

What are some disadvantages of the common core?

It restricts us and inhibits the classroom teacher personality. It is also so specific that you must stay on track with it and if you don’t, you fall behind so far. It is so disjointed.

How might you improve the common core?

I would take away what was expected to teach so that the bulk would be taken off of our shoulders. I would also go and have more than one instructor or teacher in the classroom in order to enhance the learning of students and having more teacher support. These other teachers would have experience and teach equally alongside the other.

Do you think the common core needs to be replaced?

I would not replace the common core, just fix and simplify it. It is so broad that we are the ones to make it our own for the kid sake. I also don’t think that it is touching on the basic skills like phonics, spelling and basic instruction. I would have those be more of a focal point in the common core. I would also have an extra person for support. This person would have beneficial experience for the teacher and the students.

Reflection:

When interviewing the substitute teacher, I found out more information about the common core. I think she had some great points of focus as well as ideas about the common core itself. Her views as well as the views of other teachers are ones to note on the common core and its standing for teachers in a school system. I agree when she stated that the common core is a work in progress. It is still a new concept for everyone and they are still trying to work out some of the kinks. I liked how she mentioned the team meetings and their discussion about the common core. She has some great insight and experience as a teacher and her views are very interesting.

·        ** There was no picture of her to add into the blog but this picture from online fit well with how she saw a teacher and their responsibilities. 

 http://nancypennick.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/teacher.gif

Welcome to Our Blog!

COMMON CORE MISSION STATEMENT:

“The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.”

http://www.corestandards.org/

OUR VIEWS AND KNOWLEDGE:

Hi! My name is Jess Manchester and I am a senior at Salem State University. I am studying elementary education with a double major in psychology. Being an elementary education student, a term that seems to come up in conversations is “common core”. I also heard about common core at my previous job, Lakeshore Learning Store. For those of you who are in education or are parents of elementary students, you have probably have heard of this store before. For those of you who have not, it is a teaching store filled with teaching supplies and strategies as well as games and school supplies for elementary students. During my time working there, the new hot item was the “common core cards”. I looked more into them and asked questions to my managers about them. They are cards that contain all of the common core standards, both math and literacy, and are separated into grades K-5/6. From the knowledge of product from Lakeshore along with the knowledge from conversations with teachers, I have gathered that the common core are the standards of mathematics and literacy for each grade that only some states have adopted into their system. I have also heard some negative remarks regarding the common core. I have heard that they are difficult to follow and are too narrow in the process. This makes it difficult for teachers to create the units and lessons of study based on the limitations. I have also figured out that there is no science nor social studies in the common core. I know my views and information may be wrong and incomplete but I am writing in this blog to search and learn more about the new and hot topic that is shaking ground in the world of education.

Hi! My name is Jessica Dunn and I am a senior at Salem State University, who is a double major in Elementary Education and English. Throughout many of my education classes that I have taken in college I have been educated on the several different Department of Education federal mandates. In learning about these mandates, I have heard three famous words in nearly every class - “Common Core Standards”. These three words have influenced my academic training to become a teacher immensely! I cannot even begin to elaborate on how focused school districts are in regards to adopting these new sets of standards – it has created havoc amongst a frenzy of teachers who do not want to embrace these Common Core Standards. Having said that, I understand that many individuals are in opposition to this new set of standards and argue that public education should be controlled at a state level, not a federal level. This prompts one to furthermore question – with a multitude of states adopting the Common Core Standards, will this lead to more high-stakes standardized testing throughout the nation? For, I believe that the very last thing our classroom teachers need to worry about are even more high-stakes tests, which in all reality, do not accurately depict the knowledge of students. For, this is truly a controversial ‘hot topic’ that prompts many individuals to question – why does the government want every school district in the United States to learn the same set of standards? Where is there room for academic choice? Isn’t this a one-size-fits-all proposal of standards? Now it’s your turn to be the judge – do you agree with this educational approach?

Hello My name is Charlene Logue and I am a senior at Salem State University. I am currently in the elementary education program working towards my Bachelor of Science degree in Education and my double major is Geography. Last January, while I was substituting for the Lynn Public Schools, I was privy to some "behind closed doors" conversations of the hot topic of the Common Core Standards. The Common Core is being adopted by all states except Alaska, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia. Massachusetts has adopted the mandate, and in Lynn and dozens of other cities, the response to it has been more pragmatic than ideological as teachers, some optimistic and others resigned, work to align their approach to the new standards. For example, they are adding more non-fiction texts to syllabi and adjusting the way fractions are taught to emphasize that they are actually numbers of varying sizes (not just pieces of pizza). Indeed, provided that most states like Massachusetts continue to plow forward with the Common Core, the deepest legacy of the standards will likely be felt more in educational than political realms. The Common Core does not mandate a given curriculum to schools; it lays out skills that students should learn at different grade levels. I think the biggest challenge for some teachers has been to see themselves as creators of their own curriculum. Many teachers have grown accustomed to following the textbook and a teacher's manual - at least part of the time. By contrast, the Common Core lays out general standards and educational principals, but it does not tell teachers how to teach. There are no teacher manuals - which is probably the real reason for the divide in the opinions of teachers across the board.

INFORMATION ON TOPIC:

In looking at the Department of Education Mandates and specifically focusing on the Common Core Standards, it is clear to see that these standards have been controlled through the Legislative branch at a national level that has morphed into the state level. Having said that, a multitude of states have already adopted the Common Core Standards, such as Massachusetts. However, there are several states that have not adopted these standards, which include: Texas, Alaska, Minnesota, Virginia, and Nebraska. All in all, it is clear to see that there is a strong influence from the government in regards to the implementing the Common Core Standards at national level.

Aspects of Common Core: What are some Pros and Cons of Common Core Standards? The full implementation of the Common Core Standards is getting closer each day. The true impact that they have on schools and education as a whole will not be known for several years. One thing that is for sure is this shift to a national set of standards will be revolutionary. They will also be highly debated. As the media begins to recognize the significance of the Common Core, you can bet the debate will heat up even more. As their implementation approaches, we examine some of the pros and cons of the Common Core Standards. Pros o The Common Core Standards are internationally benchmarked. This means that our standards will compare favorably to standards of other countries. This is positive in that the United States has dropped considerably in educational rankings over the last few decades. By having standards that are internationally bench-marked that ranking should begin to improve.
o The Common Core Standards will allow states to compare standardized test scores accurately. Up until the Common Core Standards, each state had their own set of standards and assessments. This has made it exceedingly difficult to accurately compare one state’s results with another state’s results. This will no longer be the case with like standards and assessments. o The Common Core Standards will decrease the costs states pay for test development, scoring, and reporting. This is because each state will no longer have to pay to have their unique tests to be developed. Each of the states that share the same standards can develop a like test to meet their needs and split costs. o The Common Core Standards will increase the rigor in the classroom and thus better prepare students for college and global work success. This is probably the single biggest reason that the Common Core Standards were created. Higher education has long complained that more and more students need remediation at the beginning of college. The increased rigor should lead students to be more prepared for life after high school. o The Common Core Standards will lead to the development of higher level thinking skills in our students. Students today often are tested on one skill at a time. The Common Core assessment will cover several skills within each question. This will ultimately lead to better problem solving skills and increased reasoning.

o The Common Core Standards assessments will allow teachers to monitor students’ progress throughout the year. The assessments will have optional pre-test and progress monitoring tools that teachers can use to find out what a student knows, where they are going, and to figure out a plan to get them where they need to be. This gives teachers an avenue to compare an individual student’s progress instead of one student against another. o The Common Core Standards assessments will be more authentic to a child’s learning experience. We will be able to see what all a student has learned across all curricula through the multi-assessment model. Students will no longer simply be allowed to come up with the right answer. Often times they must give an answer, state how they arrived at that conclusion, and defend it. o The Common Core Standards will benefit students with high mobility. States will now share the same set of standards. Students in Arkansas should be learning the same thing as astudent in New York. This will benefit students whose families move continuously. o The Common Core Standards will allow students to better understand what is expected of them. This is important in that if a student understands what, and why they are learning something, there becomes a greater sense of purpose behind learning it. o The Common Core Standards will enhance teacher collaboration and professional development. Teachers across the nation will be teaching the same curriculum. This allows teachers in opposite corners of the nation to share their best practices with each other and apply it. It also provides the opportunity for meaningful professional development as the education community is all on the same page. Cons o The Common Core Standards will be a tremendously difficult adjustment for students and teachers initially. Make no mistake that this will be a difficult transition. It is not the way many teachers are used to teaching and not the way that many students are used to learning. There will not be instant results, but instead will be a slow process. o The Common Core Standards will likely cause many outstanding teachers and administrators to pursue other career options. Many veteran teachers will retire rather than adjust the way they teach. The stress of getting their students to perform will likely cause more teacher and administrator burnout. o The Common Core Standards are vague and broad. The standards are not particularly specific although you can expect more clarification in this area as the assessments are completed. o The Common Core Standards will require younger students to learn more at a quicker pace than they ever have before. With the increased rigor and higher level thinking skills, early childhood programs will become more rigid. Pre-Kindergarten will be more important, and skills students used to learn in second grade will need to be taught in Kindergarten. o The Common Core Standards assessment will not have an equivalency test for students with special needs. Many states provide students with special needs a modified version of the test. There will be no modified test for the Common Core Standards, meaning that 100% of a school’s population will have their results reported for accountability purposes. o The Common Core Standards could be watered down compared to a few states who have previously adopted difficult standards. The Common Core Standards were designed as a middle ground of the current state standards meaning that while many states’ standards are raised, there are some who will come down. o The Common Core Standards will lead many current textbooks to be obsolete. This will be a pricy fix as schools have to adopt new materials that are effectively Common Core ready. o The Common Core Standards will costs schools money to update the technology needed for the Common Core Standards Assessments. Most of the assessments will be online. This will create many districts issues in that they will not have enough computers for all students to be assessed in a timely manner. o The Common Core Standards will lead to an increased value on standardized test performance. High stakes testing is already a trending issue and now that states will be able to accurately compare their performances against another, the stakes will only get higher. o The Common Core Standards currently only have skills associated with English-Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. There are currently no science or social studies Common Core Standards. This leaves it up to individual states to have to develop their own set of standards and assessments for these topics.