Diane Ravitch writes an article called, The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards. In this article she addresses her aversion to the new Common Core State Standards, in which 45 states have now adopted. She claims that the idea of having to adopt "college and career ready" standards is nonsense. There is no evidence that these standards will prepare students for college. After looking at New York's results with only 31% passing, she thinks students may give up instead of try harder.
I also find this very hard to believe that these standards have been sold to our nation without any evidence. After reading about New York's test results, it seems that revisions will need to be implemented. However, Diane states that the problem with revisions is that no one actually knows who is in charge of making them. As a future elementary teacher, I find these things to be a little frightening. Not only do these standards seem far fetched, but also some factors are still unclear. If the majority of the students are failing these new assessments, then they are not going to feel prepared for college; and therefore, drop out rates are going to increase. Like Diane mentioned, setting standards that are far beyond reach will most likely discourage students, rather than encourage them.
The last point you make is scary. What will our students do if more fail than ever before? Retention will become a bigger problem. Let's not forget the biggest incentive school have right now...money. Most school funding from the state has dwindled. Race-to-the-Top money was a big motivator to adopt these standards.
ReplyDeleteAs a future elementary teacher, it is scary that no one knows who is making revisions or who is in charge of them. One point that I found interesting in this article that the government was offering $4.35 million for states that adopted "college and career ready standards," which sounds a lot like the common core standards. It almost seems like a bribe. I do agree with you that it seems likely that these standards will discourage rather than encourage them for college or a career.
ReplyDeleteI agree on this, why are they forcing this on students without making the revisions when they saw how the test scores were so low. Also seems like they are blackmailing schools
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