I congratulate parents and teachers on their protests on Common Core curriculum and testing. I wonder if the authors of Common Core have any idea of the cognitive readiness of the children for the content at each grade level. The commissioner is throwing at the audience “educanese” policies which are meant to intimidate. To the credit of the audience he is not succeeding. In my 49 years of teaching I have I never witnessed such widespread disapproval of an education program; and confusion. But we have never had such radical change thrust on us.
My reading on the state town hall meetings is they are designed as a “safety valve” — let the public “blow off steam” but ultimately not change a thing. Dr. King as much said this when he told the audience he was listening but would not make any substantive changes.
What is also interesting is that nowhere has he mentioned the plans for testing two years in the future. The organization the state is working with are developing tests that can only be given by computer. Never is there any mention that to do this each student must have a computer when the test is given. Sounds expensive — and it is. But I guess they figured they had enough trouble with Common Core. Why add more controversy.
I hope the parents, teachers and administrators continue to keep the pressure on. I really think Dr. King thinks this will all go away.
C. Vincent Pane, Ed.D.
