On common Core [View all]

[nadinbrzezinski]

I hate to even go there but...the concept of Common Core was a good one.

I don't know if any of you remember where it came from. So I will remind you...military brats. A common problem these kids had (and to a point still do) is that if parents were transferred from let's say Pensacola Fl, to oh San Diego, unless the kids staid within the military system, which is minuscule, they could lose grade levels, because they were going from a poorly performing school system to San Diego Unified, of Poway which were better If they went the other way, they could gain grade levels.

So the concept was, like many other countries around the world, that the kids would have to learn the same material if they were in let's say third grade.

I know it has become a punching bag and IMO it is not the concept that is the problem. At a high policy level that idea is not bad. This level of consistency is good. The problem is implementation. What some call low policy level.

We literally have a high level policy that was needed, implemented at a mid level in a way to benefit the testing industry. I don't know how many here remember Neil Bush? Remember what he does these days? Oh yeah he develops testing materials. That is where the charges of oligarchy comes in. Who else is involved in testing? Bill Gates, who also has enough money to be a kingmaker.

And like common core there are other examples. The high level intent is not that bad. It is, as they say, in the details.

IMO common core not just needs a top bottom review, but the testing is at the very least excessive. I would not mind getting rid of most of it...hey, it works for Norway, which has a version of national educational policy.

Some of the local implementation is ok. At least locally it now includes creative and critical thinking. Though this is not at the heart...testing is. See the problem?

The other problem is the inherent distrust of government. I hear it from both parents and candidates...local control...argle, bargle, local control...get rid of the DOE.

And why am I bothering to post this? This is the kind of actual policy nuance that many discussions lack, and not just here, even with candidates. At times even at the presidential level...(yes Perry I am looking at you, same goes for Ted Cruz, and I could include Rahm Emanuel and Cuomo on this) given the nature of media they run on ideology, not policy. And that...is a problem.