Teachers Explain Why It’s So Important to Keep the Standards

Wednesday, February 10, 2016Printer-friendly version

Though there have been many political challenges against the Common Core State Standards over the past few years, the standards remain in place and teachers remain committed to higher expectations for their students. These teachers explain why it’s so important to keep the standards and the benefits they are already seeing in their classrooms.

Lawmakers should reject efforts to repeal Common Core

By Jennifer Brown, AL.com

February 8, 2016

“I testified - just like the last three state Teachers of the Year before me did when they represented the state's teachers - to share with lawmakers why an overwhelming majority of state teachers not only support our College and Career Ready Standards, but are blown away by what our students have shown they are now capable of doing.”

And,

“Are our College and Career Ready standards tough?  Yes.  They are supposed to be.  School is supposed to be tough.  If school is not challenging, then we aren't doing our job.

“Alabama teachers are seeing a positive difference in our students.  I believe our schools should stick with our College and Career Ready Standards, and I oppose efforts to remove them.”

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Op-Ed: When Perception is Not Reality – A Local Teacher Talks of Common Core

By Gillian Spero, The Chestertown Spy

February 3, 2016

“The English Language Arts standards deserve all the hype they receive, but for different reasons. They ask that students develop independent and proficient reading skills, and learn to read critically, write, and think. They ask that students be able to articulate clear thinking in not only writing but also in speaking. In short, the standards prepare students for college and the work force.

“What they do not do is prescribe what texts to read, or tell teachers how to teach. In fact, at Kent County High School, the new standards have allowed us to center our curriculum around not only new and exciting pieces of literature but classic texts and plays. The standards have allowed us to teach an appreciation and understanding of informational texts. In doing so we have created a curriculum aligned to the higher standards, which asks students to push themselves to excel.”

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State Superintendent's New Blueprint Clears Up Dangerous Myths on Common Core

By Ama Nyamekye and Xochitl Gilkeson, The Huffington Post

February 1, 2016

“A recent PDK/Gallup poll shows this contrast. In a national poll of 1,000 adults, more than 60% of respondents say that setting high expectations for students is important, but 54% oppose the Common Core State Standards - a system designed to do exactly that. By holding our students to a higher standard and teaching them how to build a skill set and transfer it to a new context, we give them an ability to learn that will extend into their life beyond school. This is what we all want for our students, and, whatever you think of Common Core implementation, this is exactly what it is meant to do.”

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