2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

[Kepler]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

can somebody explain why i'm supposed to be upset about common core? As a parent i really don't see the big deal.

itz teh gubmint!!!!!!

 

[St. Clown]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

Can somebody explain why I'm supposed to be upset about Common Core? As a parent I really don't see the big deal.

I do believe that #3 from this list of Top 8 Things You Need to Know About Common Core is what has many people rankled (I added the bolding).

3. How will Common Core be tested?

This is one of the key questions that remain to be answered. Some superintendents have even admitted the possibility that Common Core testing will drive curriculum and lesson plans at school districts. Critics have suggested that because states have hired outside companies to develop the tests, these companies will be indirectly creating curricula for states.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

Can somebody explain why I'm supposed to be upset about Common Core? As a parent I really don't see the big deal.

You must not be very engaged in your child's learning, then.

 

[geezer]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

Can somebody explain why I'm supposed to be upset about Common Core? As a parent I really don't see the big deal.

I don't have much energy for this stuff either, but as I understand the general objection to "teaching to a test" is the opportunity cost of flexible lesson plans and more individualized, creative teaching approaches. I feel like it would be a valid objection, if I had the time & energy for school board meetings, etc. I'd like to see more hands-on, real-world type stuff rather than spending the year studying for a federal assessment.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

I don't have much energy for this stuff either, but as I understand the general objection to "teaching to a test" is the opportunity cost of flexible lesson plans and more individualized, creative teaching approaches. I feel like it would be a valid objection, if I had the time & energy for school board meetings, etc. I'd like to see more hands-on, real-world type stuff rather than spending the year studying for a federal assessment.

You also have to consider that school is supposed to be for the broadening of the mind. I got dumber in high school because I had to spend my time memorizing what could essentially amount to trivial information in order to a get a piece of paper that institutions around the country, regardless of industry, required me to have.

 

[geezer]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

You also have to consider that school is supposed to be for the broadening of the mind. I got dumber in high school because I had to spend my time memorizing what could essentially amount to trivial information in order to a get a piece of paper that institutions around the country, regardless of industry, required me to have.

"I agree with FlagDUDE08" - geezer, 2/23/2015

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

"I agree with FlagDUDE08" - geezer, 2/23/2015

It's already bearing fruit, because it's March, not February.

 

[Priceless]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

I do believe that #3 from this list of Top 8 Things You Need to Know About Common Core is what has many people rankled (I added the bolding).

Critics have suggested that because states have hired outside companies to develop the tests, these companies will be indirectly creating curricula for states.

You mean like how Texas decides what textbooks will say nationwide?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

You mean like how Texas decides what textbooks will say nationwide?

Not exactly. Here in the Vampire State, we've had the Regents examinations for years (I believe we were the first state to institute this sort of state-wide standard curriculum), and textbooks do seem to be standard across the state. One thing I have noticed is that it is a way for the government to regain their monopoly on the public school system. Consider the following: All schools will have to at least offer this standardized testing to be compliant with state regulations, and some schools even require it because it serves as a midterm or final exam. Would you rather pay $5000/year plus commuting expenses to get the education you would otherwise receive at the public school? Once the government has regained the monopoly, the curriculum can then be shaped in a way they (or their outsourcers) see fit.

 

[Jimjamesak]

You must not be very engaged in your child's learning, then.

So because I don't agree = I'm a bad parent.

If you people think teachers are "just teaching to a test" you obviously either a) don't have kids in school or b) your kids have a bad teacher.

 

[Kepler]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

You also have to consider that school is supposed to be for the broadening of the mind.

That's certainly not our American school system. The German industrial school system we adopted at the end of the 19th century is about making good soldiers, employees, and consumers. It's animal training. Any mind-broadening that happens is either by accident or on your own time.

There is a school system that exists to broaden the mind. It's that elitist, ivory tower system all the herpa-derps love to denigrate. It's great, actually. But it's not for everyone. That's why God created entrance exams.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

So because I don't agree = I'm a bad parent.

If you people think teachers are "just teaching to a test" you obviously either a) don't have kids in school or b) your kids have a bad teacher.

There are plenty of teachers that do teach to the test. And in smaller districts, you don't have much of a choice as to which teacher you get. I got out of high school 11 years ago, and that's the way it was. And given the teachers are the same for the most part, nothing has changed.

 

[walrus]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

So because I don't agree = I'm a bad parent.

If you people think teachers are "just teaching to a test" you obviously either a) don't have kids in school or b) your kids have a bad teacher.

If their students fail the "test" do those teachers get their contract renewed?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

If their students fail the "test" do those teachers get their contract renewed?

In the Vampire State, once you get tenure after three years, I don't know what could possibly be done to get you thrown out.

 

[geezer]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

It's already bearing fruit, because it's March, not February.

I was taught to the test.

In my day it was called "SRA" Testing. I hated it's #2 leaded guts.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

I was taught to the test.

In my day it was called "SRA" Testing. I hated it's #2 leaded guts.

Standardized tests aren't limited to grades 3 and up. I recall those things in even first grade; don't remember if I had to do bubble sheets like that in kindergarten. I wouldn't be shocked if it happened as part of Common Core.

 

[geezer]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

One of the most irksome things a federal policy maker can propose, to me, is mandatory early childhood education. Obama, among many others, is a big proponent of wrenching screaming children out of their backyard sandboxes, and sticking them into industrialized education, full time, as early as 3 years old. I hate it. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, "A good 'Head Start' is five years at home."

 

[Jimjamesak]

There are plenty of teachers that do teach to the test. And in smaller districts, you don't have much of a choice as to which teacher you get. I got out of high school 11 years ago, and that's the way it was. And given the teachers are the same for the most part, nothing has changed.

I'm so glad to know that you're school experience 11 years ago is the defining educational experience for kids today. SMH

Listen, there's nothing wrong with "teaching to the test." The test is designed to evaluate whether kids have the knowledge they should have. How teachers help kids acquire that knowledge is completely up to them and their schools (in some cases, it's not a bad teacher, it's a bad principal). That's all these standards are: standards. Basically saying that every kid that has a diploma knows this.

For example, my daughter is in kindergarten. When I talk to her teacher he tells me where she's at on various subjects in relation to her class, where she should be at now, and where she should be by the end of the year. He tells me what he's doing with the class, what he's doing specifically to help my daughter, and what my wife and I can do to help. It's not a huge conspiracy, it's not an indoctrination system. It's a system designed to help kids learn. Now if conservatives weren't cutting funding to schools so teachers could make a decent living no matter where they teach, didn't have enormous class sizes or terrible resources, and didn't * about everything in the curriculum as "Unamerican" maybe things would be better.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

One of the most irksome things a federal policy maker can propose, to me, is mandatory early childhood education. Obama, among many others, is a big proponent of wrenching screaming children out of their backyard sandboxes, and sticking them into industrialized education, full time, as early as 3 years old. I hate it. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, "A good 'Head Start' is five years at home."

It all depends upon the institution and the child's basis for environment. In some cases, it can be a good thing. The kids could be stuck in daycare staring at the boob tube all day with absolutely no good way of being able to communicate, and a Head Start location could be able to teach them to communicate well. Of course, in those cases, "home" isn't exactly a very nice place. In other cases, home nurturing is much better than said institutions, and the child will end up a lot better off.

Point is: One-size-fits-some plans just don't work in some cases.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2nd Term Part IX - How Lame is my Duck

I'm so glad to know that you're school experience 11 years ago is the defining educational experience for kids today. SMH

Listen, there's nothing wrong with "teaching to the test." The test is designed to evaluate whether kids have the knowledge they should have. How teachers help kids acquire that knowledge is completely up to them and their schools (in some cases, it's not a bad teacher, it's a bad principal). That's all these standards are: standards. Basically saying that every kid that has a diploma knows this.

For example, my daughter is in kindergarten. When I talk to her teacher he tells me where she's at on various subjects in relation to her class, where she should be at now, and where she should be by the end of the year. He tells me what he's doing with the class, what he's doing specifically to help my daughter, and what my wife and I can do to help. It's not a huge conspiracy, it's not an indoctrination system. It's a system designed to help kids learn. Now if conservatives weren't cutting funding to schools so teachers could make a decent living no matter where they teach, didn't have enormous class sizes or terrible resources, and didn't * about everything in the curriculum as "Unamerican" maybe things would be better.

Kindergarten? Oh, just you wait until the later grades, and you'll begin to understand exactly what we're talking about.