10
10
0
Politics
Education
Responses: 16
1
1
0
1
1
0
First, common core has only been around for six years... most of the people who believe this were not educated using common core. So the fact that some people look at this and believe it is more an indictment of the previous lack of standards than common core.
Second, for as long as I can remember there has been resistance to new ways of doing math. I didn't learn math the way my parents did... my kids didn't learn math the way I did and my grand kids will likely be exposed to even newer ways of solving math problems.
Common core instituted standards that were not met by previous textbooks. Schools went out and bought new textbooks. The new textbooks that meet common core standards don't do math the same way we did math. The problem isn't common core, basic standards for schools across the country is a very good thing. The problem is that the people writing textbooks are always looking for the newest way to do things so they can sell more textbooks and people don't always like the newest way of doing things.
Second, for as long as I can remember there has been resistance to new ways of doing math. I didn't learn math the way my parents did... my kids didn't learn math the way I did and my grand kids will likely be exposed to even newer ways of solving math problems.
Common core instituted standards that were not met by previous textbooks. Schools went out and bought new textbooks. The new textbooks that meet common core standards don't do math the same way we did math. The problem isn't common core, basic standards for schools across the country is a very good thing. The problem is that the people writing textbooks are always looking for the newest way to do things so they can sell more textbooks and people don't always like the newest way of doing things.
(1)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
SSgt Dustin Coy - You have a problem with how common core is taught... however common core doesn't specify how it must be taught.
Your problem isn't with common core, it's with the text book writers applying new methods to how we learn math. Common core states that you should be able to identify 110 as 22% of 500 in 3rd grade... it doesn't dictate how you learn to solve the problem. How you learn to solve the problem is dictated by the text book your school chooses to use.
The school in Mississippi where kids were learning to identify 110 as 22% of 500 in 5th grade needs new textbooks since kids now need to be able to solve the problem in 3rd grade. Their new 3rd grade math textbooks are common core complaint because they meet the new standard, not because of how they teach kids to solve the problem.
Your problem isn't with common core, it's with the text book writers applying new methods to how we learn math. Common core states that you should be able to identify 110 as 22% of 500 in 3rd grade... it doesn't dictate how you learn to solve the problem. How you learn to solve the problem is dictated by the text book your school chooses to use.
The school in Mississippi where kids were learning to identify 110 as 22% of 500 in 5th grade needs new textbooks since kids now need to be able to solve the problem in 3rd grade. Their new 3rd grade math textbooks are common core complaint because they meet the new standard, not because of how they teach kids to solve the problem.
(1)
(0)
SSgt Dustin Coy
SSG (Join to see) Right. I agree...somewhat. Since only the newer text books and curriculums (the ones geared specifically and only to the new techniques) are common core compliant, that's what is forced. Because schools must comply with the common core standard, the effect is essentially the same. I agree that it doesn't say it must be done this way, just that it must be done. But that really doesn't matter here. And here's why in a non-partisan and non hot button issue way:
If congress passes a law saying everyone must buy 10 lbs of fruit every week, and the only fruit available is kiwis, it doesn't matter that I don't like kiwis, and it doesn't matter that the law doesn't specifically say I have to buy kiwis. I'm still forced to buy them anyway to comply. The result is that I don't like the law and I want the law to be removed or amended so that I'm not forced to buy kiwis. I don't blame the kiwi tree.
If congress passes a law saying everyone must buy 10 lbs of fruit every week, and the only fruit available is kiwis, it doesn't matter that I don't like kiwis, and it doesn't matter that the law doesn't specifically say I have to buy kiwis. I'm still forced to buy them anyway to comply. The result is that I don't like the law and I want the law to be removed or amended so that I'm not forced to buy kiwis. I don't blame the kiwi tree.
(0)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
SSgt Dustin Coy - There are many companies that write textbooks... Now if the school board decides to simply go with the text book that's the highest rated by the experts that's their choice. Blaming the new Math methods of common core is just an excuse to avoid shopping around and finding a book that's more "old school" in it's approach.
I went to a home school sight to see what they recommended for Algebra 1, they had half a dozen recommendations with pro's and con's, I'm sure a school is able to choose from an even larger selection. So if you don't like Kiwi's you don't have to buy Kiwi's, there is no shortage of options out there.
http://www.mathmammoth.com/complete/algebra_1.php#textbook
I went to a home school sight to see what they recommended for Algebra 1, they had half a dozen recommendations with pro's and con's, I'm sure a school is able to choose from an even larger selection. So if you don't like Kiwi's you don't have to buy Kiwi's, there is no shortage of options out there.
http://www.mathmammoth.com/complete/algebra_1.php#textbook
Homeschool algebra 1 curriculum - recommendations for home schooling high school math
Advice and recommendations for choosing an algebra 1 curriculum. Choose a textbook (Jacob's, Foerster's, or Prentice Hall) along with math videos.
(0)
(0)
SSgt Dustin Coy
SSG (Join to see) Thank you for the link. I think it's a bit more complex than school boards or teachers just not shopping around to find one that includes both "old school" as you put it, and the newer techniques. Just because we can find different vendors who produce books doesn't mean that we really have "no shortage of options out there" nor that I'm still not being forced to buy the kiwis. :-)
Many of the "other options" for textbooks that claim compliance with common core standards don't actually comply to begin with.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/08/the-great-common-core-textbook-swindle.html
And if that one is to one way (left/right) or the other for you to consider it legit....
http://edexcellence.net/commentary/education-gadfly-daily/how-well-aligned-are-textbooks-to-the-common-core-standards-in
All this said, I recognize that I'm not going to change your opinion, and that's totally cool. I don't have any intention of trying. I see merit in a system that has unified standards, and I think you do to. I get the impression, (which may be completely wrong) that you're not willing to give up what you see as having been gained by the benefits of the common core standards. I hear you. Likewise, I don't intend to stop pushing for changes to, or the repealing of the standards, in order to force inclusion of multiple different learning types, (auditory, logical, kinesthetic, aural etc) and not just push "visual," as superior, because not everybody learns the same. I won't simply accept that "there are plenty of other options" because, there really aren't. In that vein, like I said before, something isn't necessarily better just because it is standard, and I won't be surrendering or changing my opinion on this any time soon either because I've seen the effect in real time, and I've never been good at just "shutting up and coloring" or "drinking the kool-aid." :-)
Many of the "other options" for textbooks that claim compliance with common core standards don't actually comply to begin with.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/08/the-great-common-core-textbook-swindle.html
And if that one is to one way (left/right) or the other for you to consider it legit....
http://edexcellence.net/commentary/education-gadfly-daily/how-well-aligned-are-textbooks-to-the-common-core-standards-in
All this said, I recognize that I'm not going to change your opinion, and that's totally cool. I don't have any intention of trying. I see merit in a system that has unified standards, and I think you do to. I get the impression, (which may be completely wrong) that you're not willing to give up what you see as having been gained by the benefits of the common core standards. I hear you. Likewise, I don't intend to stop pushing for changes to, or the repealing of the standards, in order to force inclusion of multiple different learning types, (auditory, logical, kinesthetic, aural etc) and not just push "visual," as superior, because not everybody learns the same. I won't simply accept that "there are plenty of other options" because, there really aren't. In that vein, like I said before, something isn't necessarily better just because it is standard, and I won't be surrendering or changing my opinion on this any time soon either because I've seen the effect in real time, and I've never been good at just "shutting up and coloring" or "drinking the kool-aid." :-)
The Great Common Core Textbook Swindle
Only one in eight Common Core-aligned textbooks meets Common Core standards, but they were still repackaged and sold to schools, at taxpayers’ expense.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
0
0
0
I don't believe it's a question of good or bad. The education students receive at any level and in any state should be the same. A kindergartner in Iowa or New York should be taught the same things as a kindergartner in Alabama or Tennessee. I do believe that those standards should be taken from whatever state has the 'best' rating for education. Or maybe even from those countries that we compete with on a global scale. I'd like to believe that being able to better compete in the global market would be the long term goal of our education system.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Here's a better question...what good does it do to teach kids to understand the "process" if you simultaneously remove their ambition to use it?
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google 
