I Like the Idea of the Common Core Standards, But...

"The Common Core standards are not evil; however, the implementation and everything afterward is questionable."These were the words of a teacher in training I led about one of the founding tenets of the common core standards,  text complexity. As soon as this fellow educator said those words, the discussion changed from text complexity, to how many teachers have had difficulties with various phases of implementation of the Common Core standards. Throughout the discussion, there was one thing evident. Implementation of these standards is quickly becoming messy and confusing to the people these standards are supposed to help.

These were the words of a teacher in training I led about one of the founding tenets of the common core standards,  text complexity. As soon as this fellow educator said those words, the discussion changed from text complexity, to how many teachers have had difficulties with various phases of implementation of the Common Core standards. Throughout the discussion, there was one thing evident. Implementation of these standards is quickly becoming messy and confusing to the people these standards are supposed to help.

In 2010, the final standards were released to the general public with the hope being that these standards would help make learning equitable across socioeconomic lines.  According to the Common Core Standards.org, the standards will,

"Provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that young people need for success in college and careers.

While this idea (making learning standards consist and clear)  seems simple enough, in reality, these standards are not only controversial but my opinion are being poorly implemented.  Sure, I know that learning content should be clear and consistent across schools, towns and states. As a parent, I was mortified when my family relocated from Tennessee to Georgia and  I witnessed the glaring differences in the curriculum that my son had to endure.  Then as teacher who has witnessed reform after reform, I like that the standards will be the same and will call   for students to think more explicitly while drawing conclusions and using textual evidence in the classroom. However with almost two years away  from full implementation, we can clearly see that there are some glaring issues that teachers across the country are having with fully adopting the standards.

As public school teacher, I can honestly say that I like the Common Core standards; but, from a planning standpoint here are some glaring issues with the upcoming full implementation:

1. The lack of professional development and support for teachers and administrators. Some states such as New York (with New York Engage) have taken the time to develop worthwhile professional development. However, there are other states who have not done anything to prepare their teachers, except for telling teachers their teaching must change.  Daily at our offices, we  receive emails from teachers who have not even received training "unpacking" the standards! , How can they then  be made to implement the standards with fidelity  in their classroom? A task as  monumental as moving states from individual standards to national standards deserves  quality professional development over an extended amount of time.

This professional development should be teacher led, by teachers who are all ready using the strategies that complement the common core standards. At the high school level, the common core standards look eerily similar to what happens in AP and upper level classes. Therefore, districts utilizing their AP teachers would be a good place to start in empowering teachers to be the leader in training teachers.

Click here for reason #2.