General Discussion

GreenEyedLefty

(2,116 posts)

8. I have a few thoughts on this...

Sun Mar 16, 2014, 11:08 AM

Mar 2014

I am not an expert on public education across the country but I do work for a public school district.

The Common Core situation is symptomatic of the government's systematic dis-investment in public education over the years. The district I work for is being slowly starved to death because the governor has chosen to give his business buddies a $1 billion tax break that was paid for by cutting public education.

The biggest eye-opener for me coming into PS employment was the realization that local control of schools is a joke. The people elect school boards but their hands are tied... the state government attaches more and more strings to their paltry funding. Districts turn to Title I and other federal grants, which have strings of their own. And they also turn to grants from private funds where the government fails to provide funding. More strings.

In reading the CC standards, they are actually very good. The failures I have seen, are in the implementation of the standards. Districts must provide supports and professional development so that teachers can teach them effectively. The CCSS is a colossal unfunded mandate. The state provided these incredibly deep and broad standards and left districts on their own to implement them.

People have been complaining for years about the failure of public education to teach students so that they can keep up with other nations in terms of the skills required of workers in the 21st century economy. The CCSS are an answer to that.

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The Common Core could well be Obama's worst policy. [View all] greatlaurel Mar 2014 OP

Corporatists love this shit. L0oniX Mar 2014 #1

Well, this 'corporatist' was able to destroy the two main points of the OP with five seconds msanthrope Mar 2014 #7

It's good to have goals. L0oniX Mar 2014 #10

Is the USDOE active in implementing Common Core throughout the US? greatlaurel Mar 2014 #13

Having been proved wrong, you accuse me of shilling for Bill Gates? msanthrope Mar 2014 #14

And if you find it on google, it MUST be the whole, accurate story... Squinch Mar 2014 #15

The link is to 'the official page of the common core standards'... Blanks Mar 2014 #32

NEA President: We Need a Course Correction on Common Core Jesus Malverde Mar 2014 #40

I think you are conflating two items....the CC itself, and its launch. That individual msanthrope Mar 2014 #41

Gates and Waltons are two big money roody Mar 2014 #71

It's not Obama's policy Hippo_Tron Mar 2014 #2

That is OK with me. Keep your head buried in the sand. greatlaurel Mar 2014 #4

Seriously, we're supposed to give more credibility to an opinion piece... Blanks Mar 2014 #36

I love waking up to the smell of Right Wing Talking Points on DU Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #3

Don't forget the IRS targeted the teabaggers Gman Mar 2014 #6

Hahahahaha" creative control of their classrooms" greatlaurel Mar 2014 #9

Hahahahah - I actually know a number of public school teachers Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #58

Seriously, Jeff, if you believe that the common core gives school districts and teachers control Squinch Mar 2014 #16

I am a teacher and have to call total bs on the notion that this improves creative control of the dsc Mar 2014 #26

I have found that if you actually have real experience on issues Puzzledtraveller Mar 2014 #42

This is especially true if your actual real-world expertise QC Mar 2014 #60

Exactly Puzzledtraveller Mar 2014 #66

Call it what you want all you want Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #57

I agree that Obama isn't at fault for common core dsc Mar 2014 #62

Swing and a miss... Jeff In Milwaukee Mar 2014 #64

nice try dsc Mar 2014 #68

Here is another great Common Core defense by Arnie Duncan greatlaurel Mar 2014 #5

One of the issues that's come up with standardized tests... Blanks Mar 2014 #37

I have a few thoughts on this... GreenEyedLefty Mar 2014 #8

Thoughtful post greatlaurel Mar 2014 #11

We have CC in our state..if and that is a IF they are telling the truth Grades are improving here Tippy Mar 2014 #12

Having been a PS teacher (before law school) I will tell you that CC will go a long way msanthrope Mar 2014 #19

Are you serious?! femmocrat Mar 2014 #24

Quite serious. The profession will survive, and be better for higher standards. nt msanthrope Mar 2014 #33

Do you remember a time... Blanks Mar 2014 #38

you do realize that many, many kids have to work dsc Mar 2014 #39

I'm not advocating for longer hours for the same pay... Blanks Mar 2014 #47

some answers dsc Mar 2014 #48

I didn't see any need to address that you are for a longer school year... Blanks Mar 2014 #49

you accuse me of being against cutting the summer break dsc Mar 2014 #50

I apologize. Blanks Mar 2014 #55

Please do not assume that you know what I would or would not oppose. femmocrat Mar 2014 #53

Kids need to get used to being stressed... Blanks Mar 2014 #54

Do you work for ETS? femmocrat Mar 2014 #56

No, I don't work for ETS. Blanks Mar 2014 #61

The agrarian school calendar talking point is a lie. greatlaurel Mar 2014 #75

Well, would you look at that... Blanks Mar 2014 #76

Now THAT is a right wing talking point. Maedhros Mar 2014 #31

I'm not blaming teachers for anything. I think the vast majority of them will do just fine msanthrope Mar 2014 #35

Every teacher I know thinks otherwise. Maedhros Mar 2014 #46

I actually like the curriculum but dislike the way it was implemented... JaneyVee Mar 2014 #17

There is a difference between standards and curriculum. GreenEyedLefty Mar 2014 #22

Wow. A lot of kool-aid drinking by those who would like to believe that opposition to the common Squinch Mar 2014 #18

A little more then I'm done... GreenEyedLefty Mar 2014 #20

Apparently Jeb Bush loves it. Enough said. n/t Cleita Mar 2014 #21

Majority of Educators Support the Common Core State Standards frazzled Mar 2014 #23

As a neutral observer with no dog in this fight... Shandris Mar 2014 #34

The idea of national standards sounds good, but I agree with others that it ignores learning issues. charmay Mar 2014 #25

That would be a high bar. woo me with science Mar 2014 #27

It's also perpetual corporate welfare for testing companies jsr Mar 2014 #28

Careful, you will be attacked by the Rah Rah crowd now. Rex Mar 2014 #29

I worry that they are putting a straitjacket on teachers. Too many requirements. reformist2 Mar 2014 #30

One area where Obama is worse than W... JCMach1 Mar 2014 #43

k&r for my wife Puzzledtraveller Mar 2014 #44

Arne Duncan is just a little too friendly with our own dear Michael Gove. LeftishBrit Mar 2014 #45

If TPP passes it will dwarf CC as far as damage to our country. yourout Mar 2014 #51

Whenever I think of Bill Gates, I think about the French solving their truedelphi Mar 2014 #52

Common Core curriculum pre-dates Obama's presidency. nt Lex Mar 2014 #59

Obama's educational policies are the reason I am now an independent, and will not vote for any liberal_at_heart Mar 2014 #63

The education of our children, our future is the single most important issue we face Puzzledtraveller Mar 2014 #67

One of the most important threads in, like...forever WhaTHellsgoingonhere Mar 2014 #65

Thanks! greatlaurel Mar 2014 #69

Here is some more information on this issue greatlaurel Mar 2014 #70

Some good stuff you've got there Nevernose Mar 2014 #72

Where specifically did you read the "science common core" that disappointed you? bhikkhu Mar 2014 #73

Here is the link as requested greatlaurel Mar 2014 #74