At the "Core": Reflections & Considerations on Common Core
I've had many conversations about Common Core State Standards (CCSS) with fellow teachers, concerned parents, and curious friends. Throughout these conversations, several things kept coming to my mind, so I've had this blog post in my heart for quite some time. With that said, I want to establish that this post is NOT with any single person or conversation in mind . It is simply a list of ideas that I think should be clearly explained when it comes to Common Core. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, but I think being able to intelligently discuss issues and explain ourselves is part of what learning and growing is all about. So here it goes... Establishing a Context In this blog post, I am just talking about the standards themselves. Historically, states and educational institutions have often received funding or been encouraged to receive funding for this or that initiative. Many people focus on this funding issue, but my primary concern is always what