The Common Core Controversy

The Common Core is a federally approved (but not nationally mandated) set of standards that most states, including New York, have adopted.  According to the web site http://www.corestandards.org/what-parents-should-know/:

"The standards are designed to build upon the most advanced current thinking about preparing all students for success in college, career, and life. This will result in moving even the best state standards to the next level. In fact, since this work began, there has been an explicit agreement that no state would lower its standards. The standards were informed by the best in the country, the highest international standards, and evidence and expertise about educational outcomes. We need college- and career-ready standards because even in high‐performing states, students are graduating and passing all the required tests but still need remediation in their post-secondary work."

I don't recall ever having a teacher who would "teach to the test" or place more emphasis on standardized tests than what was taught throughout the year. I certainly recall the Iowa Tests and how these would take up entire days of our time. Though when they were over they were largely forgotten. Maybe I am just lucky to remember it that way now.

I do remember that we were all glad when the tests were over, including our teachers. Though in those days our teachers were not being judged on how well we did on the standardized tests. Even a child would have understood that it wouldn't be fair to rate a teacher on a test they had nothing to do with creating. Now I suppose the children understand they are being taught in a manner that will improve their test scores and help their teachers keep their jobs. Hopefully, they don't realize this too soon because it would be a shame to teach cynicism in our schools when it is so easily learned on the streets and in their homes.