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.
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