So we’re back to common educational standards for the nation’s schools.
The nation’s governors and state school chiefs will decide what students will learn in English and Math, from kindergarten through high school. This is seen as a crucial step in President Obama’s campaign to raise academic standards in the country and make our students competitive.
How will this be done? You will see the “raising the standard” in the curriculum, content of textbooks, teacher training and classroom dynamics. Students in every class in the country have to achieve the Minimum Learning Level meant for that grade. Fourth-graders, for example, should be able to explain how poetry differs from prose. They should be able to identify elements like stanza, verse, rhythm and meter when writing or speaking about a poem.
Eighth-graders will use linear equations to solve an unknown and explain the Pythagorean theorem using the properties of a right triangle.
Also, there will be plenty of classic works the students will have to read. This is to make sure they understand the complexity of the language and the various styles of writing. There will be more non-fiction texts in Science and Social Studies.
One of the informational texts for ninth and tenth graders will be Lincoln’s second inaugural address.
All this means the states will have to be consistent in their expectations of student achievement. It means educational expectations are not voluntary, they will not be left to the individual states.
An important aspect of this blueprint is that it does not come from the union administration. Called “common core”, it is from the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers. The word “federalism” does not apply here. The purpose is to “elevate” student performance, make them “college-andcareer-ready”..
Will all the states embrace the new rules? We have to wait and see. Some might feel they already have high standards and wouldn’t want to give that up.
I asked Eiden what he felt about the new standardization. “Looks like a good idea,” he said. Then added, “While those schools will try to pull up standards to meet the higher levels imposed by the new program, what about those schools which have higher standards? Will this stunt innovation and experimentation in academics?”
Check out the standards at http://www.corestandards.org
