Diane Ravitch, a historian of American education, makes it evident through this article that she wholeheartedly rejects the concept of the Common Core Standards. She provides the explanation that 45 states have adopted this program because they had the incentive of federal funds. To be eligible to receive $4.35 billion worth of government money, the states had to adopt the Common Core. Her main point is that the boosters and creators of the Common Core provide no proof of the promises they make (they will improve our national security, prepare students for college, and help restore the economy), and they have prepared for no revisions in the standards. According the Ravitch, the standards are ineffective and rob schools of more money.
Ravitch provides a very one-sided opinion of the Common Core. Though I am not sure I, myself, hold such a black-and-white view of the general Common Core program, there is a certain aspect of this article of which I hold a strong opinion. The Common Core testing results from New York speak for themselves in saying that students are not ready to have the Common Core forced upon them so quickly. With only a 31% success rate, students will be dropping out of school in a rapid movement. Here, the point could be made that all students are not meant to go to college, so this process helps filter out the students that are not college material. I agree, all students are not meant for college. However, America cannot make such an abrupt change in the curriculum so as to have straight "A" students suddenly finding themselves failing. This does nothing but discourage students and urge them to seek self-accomplishment elsewhere. Inadvertently, the Common Core testing will cause students to suffer a lack of academic confidence, rather than boosting their education to the level of other students around the world. Though I feel the article held more opinion than fact, I felt the addition of the test score success rate proved Ravitch's point that the Common Core has significant faults.
Madison I look forward to reading your posts. You must have had a good English teacher in high school. Proofread please. I see a couple of mistakes. You are too good a writer for that. You start some very good arguments but I was a little confused at the end. Did you feel the strongest evidence against the CC to be the test scores? Nothing else. It was all subjective to you? Can you clarify!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Common Core may be setting students up for failure. The difficult curriculum that the Common Core provides is forcing students to drop out of school instead of it actually preparing them for college. You are left wondering what good could possibly come from this program. Where will this lead our students educational experience?
ReplyDeleteEven-though you briefly touched on it, I agree with you that college isn't for everyone. In some cases, it is more beneficial for people to get jobs right out of high school. Then you have to look at the person individually and ask, "Is college worth the investment?" The statistics of 31% success provides evidence that you have read and understand the article and makes your point more believable. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIf I get work right out of high school, what do you think are the chances I can make a living for myself and for my family (with no other education).
ReplyDelete