NYT: National School Standards, at Last

[tonysam]

More propaganda from the anti-teacher NYT:

The countries that have left the United States behind in math and science education have one thing in common: They offer the same high education standards — often the same curriculum — from one end of the nation to the other. The United States relies on a generally mediocre patchwork of standards that vary, not just from state to state, but often from district to district. A child’s education depends primarily on ZIP code.

That could eventually change if the states adopt the new rigorous standards proposed last week by the National Governors Association and a group representing state school superintendents. The proposal lays out clear, ambitious goals for what children should learn year to year and could change curriculums, tests and teacher training.

The standards, based on intensive research, reflect what students must know to succeed at college and to find good jobs in the 21st century. They are internationally benchmarked, which means that they emulate the expectations of high-performing school systems abroad.

More from NYT

When an editorial mentions the fraudulent A Nation at Risk and calls it "iconic," then you know it is full of shit. Not to mention the "college for all" garbage needs to stop.

[Fire1]

1. What is wrong with people? College has never been "for

EVERYBODY," for one reason or another! This isn't NEW!!! K&R

[tonysam]

2. It's crazy, crazy, crazy.

There are many occupations which even still provide a measure of a decent living not requiring college.

I'd like to see more vocational education in high school and companies being encouraged to train people on the job.

[Fire1]

3. That's why I'd like to see the return of 'tracking' in high school. n/t

[tonysam]

4. REAL tracking, not this garbage of tracking kids when they are barely out of diapers. n/t

[Fire1]

5. Right. I'm talking about the tracking from 'OUR' day!! n/t

[tonysam]

7. I remember well how it was done when I was in high school.

Vocational education was really big then. There was some kind of college track, but there were lots of business courses, carpentry courses, horticulture courses, mechanics courses, and so on.

These need to be front and center today.

[Fire1]

8. My high school, which by the way, is Eli Broad's alma mater,

had three (3) tracks. College, Vocational and Business. It worked beautifully.

[mzteris]

9. it doesn't say that

it says college and good jobs. Maybe it would have been easier to understand if it had said "or" good jobs. I posted the link the other day of the "standards" they are seeking feedback from ANY and EVERY one who has an interest. Maybe you guys should take a look and proffer your opinion.

I agree college isn't for everyone. I'd go further and say that there's a whole damn lot of people going to college who don't belong there and it's hurting higher ed.


here's my post is again - since it dropped like a stone without one single comment. Interesting that.

******
Teachers, parents, students, taxpayers - here's your chance to comment on the standardization of education requirements for the US.

For too long there has been serious inequities between the states, along with a "dumbing down" of curricula to - supposedly - meet NCLB requirements.

One states 4th grade math is another states 6th grade math. Some students score "very high" on their state standards, while scoring abysmally on the National test (NAES)


http://www.corestandards.org /

Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI), the draft K-12 standards are now available for public comment. These draft standards, developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, seek to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

Governors and state commissioners of education from 48 states, 2 territories and the District of Columbia committed to developing a common core of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. This is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

The NGA Center and CCSSO have received feedback from national organizations representing, but not limited to teachers, postsecondary education (including community colleges), civil rights groups, English language learners, and students with disabilities. These standards are now open for public comment until Friday, April 2.

These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. The standards are:

* Aligned with college and work expectations;
* Clear, understandable and consistent;
* Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
* Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
* Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
* Evidence-based.

The college- and career-readiness standards were released for public comment in September 2009.

An advisory group provides advice and guidance on the initiative. Members of this group include experts from Achieve, Inc., ACT, the College Board, the National Association of State Boards of Education and the State Higher Education Executive Officers.

**CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY** http://feedback.corestandards.org/s-gwid2-233754


edit to add bolding

[Captain Hilts]

6. National standards are a GOOD idea. nt

[Fire1]

10. I agree. What's your point? n/t

[RationalAltruism]

11. While the book you mention may be "fraudulent" we still have a problem

of the patchwork of standards that vary widely across the country. For instance, take Texas, which is proposing eliminating Thomas Jefferson from their history curriculum and replacing him with theologian John Calvin. National standards of some sort would help remedy this kind of conservative bias, which would be useful, don't you think?