The Common Core is a great solution for a flawed system.
Before the creation of the Common Core Standards, each state established its
own standards for education. In theory, this sounds great. Teachers in each state
have an established set of standards to follow, and state exams test students’
achievement of these standards. In reality, this system was detrimental to
students. The No Child Left Behind Act of President Bush called for a going
over of the state standards, the easing of tests and the lowering of
expectations. Students were not being adequately prepared for college and
subsequently for the workforce. The Common Core Standards prepare students for college
and the workforce.
The Common Core Standards are divided into four categories:
reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Anchor standards tell
teachers about general skills students need to achieve for college and the
workforce. Then, there are content specific standards that follow the anchor
standards. The reading standards focus on close reading, citing evidence, and
making inferences. Additionally, there is more of a focus on nonfiction texts which is so important because most of what adults read is informational. The
Common Core also requires all teachers to be responsible for students’ reading
and writing, not only ELA instructors. Students don’t just learn information;
they learn what to do with it, a skill essential for the workforce.
The Common Core also focuses on the reading-writing connection.
Students learn how to write argumentative, explanatory, and informative texts.
They also learn how to analyze, cite, and use evidence. The speaking and
listening standards also teach students to highlight and use evidence. This
will help students be socially adept in writing and conversation in college and beyond.
Comments
Post a Comment