All students should graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and citizenship.
Higher Standards Prepare Students for College and Careers
Higher standards for all students are about more than pure academics; they better prepare students for the rigors of college and careers. Because of the implications for future success, holding students to the same high standards is a critical step toward educational equity. These voices supporting higher standards make the case for rigorous academic standards for every student, regardless of their background or geographic location.
Why ‘I believe all students should have the same standards’ — principal who backs Common Core
The Washington Post
June 15, 2015
“…I believe all students should have the same standards. Where a student lives should not determine educational expectations. As educational leaders, we need to assure the public that we understand the challenges students face after graduation and that we are preparing them for college and the work place. College and career ready standards must be a part of K-12 education. Whether we call those standards Common Core, Florida Standards, or something else, does not matter. The point is that colleges have been telling high schools for years that our graduates are not prepared for college level academics and employers have shared similar concerns.”
And,
“If we have the same standards for all students, we create a common ground for education. For too long we have had inconsistencies throughout the country, within our states, in our school districts and even within our schools.”
Tweet link: http://ctt.ec/aUO49
Common Core can help Latino students
By Bill Richardson, CNN
June 15, 2015
“While our national graduation rate has reached a record 81%, only 76% of Hispanic students are graduating from high school. The picture for Latino students in college is similar -- more Latinos than ever are attending college, but they are still not graduating at the same rate as their white peers.”
And,
“The Common Core -- a K-12 initiative seeking to establish consistent educational standards for math and English -- raises expectations for all children, including those who are struggling. By raising the bar for our students, we are ensuring that every child has the opportunities he or she deserves.
Where a family lives, how much money it makes or its race or ethnicity should not dictate the quality of education a child receives or that child's ability to thrive in college and in future careers. Consistent standards and assessments for students throughout the country mean more students will receive exceptional education and have an equal chance to succeed. That means our Latino youths will be more prepared for college and ready to reap the benefits of an advanced degree -- which directly translates to higher rates of employment and higher incomes.”
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Educators, parents should embrace Common Core as the way to close education gap
The Buffalo News Editorial Board, The Buffalo News
June 14, 2015
” The Common Core Learning Standards developed by the states are critical to closing the educational, and therefore economic, gaps that exists in this country.”
And,
“…Too many students are entering college without the proper preparation. Those still needing remedial course work tend to get discouraged and drop out, to the dismay of parents who had no idea their children were being ill-prepared in high school. This is a problem especially evident in urban school districts.”
And,
“Parents and educators, no matter what their opinions are on testing and evaluations, should be in favor of higher goals. Students can and will achieve under the more rigorous standards, and will be better off having met the challenge.”