The Observation Deck

So, I'd like to hear from someone in the know that is willing and able to share details about the upcoming 'Common Core' related curriculum that Lakewood City Schools will soon be adopting. I think this is important to know in the run-up to our school levy vote.

First off: Common Core, for those unaware, is a Federal, standardized curriculum program connected with the Stimulus bill's "Race to the Top" funding. States who accepted this funding also accepted Common Core. Ohio is 1 of 45 (or is it 46?) states to take the money.

Let me run down some of what I have heard:

1. There will be a shift towards non-fiction in reading for English class. On the surface, this sounds good, but then I read this:

But the new guidelines are increasingly worrying English-lovers and English teachers, who feel they must replace literary greats like The Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye with Common Core-suggested "exemplars," like the Environmental Protection Agency's Recommended Levels of Insulation and the California Invasive Plant Council's Invasive Plant Inventory.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/common-core-nonfiction-reading-standards_n_2271229.html

2a. A systematic reimaging of history. For example, this from a Texas lesson plan:

A local militia, believed to be a terrorist organization, attacked the property of private citizens today at our nation's busiest port. Although no one was injured in the attack, a large quantity of merchandise, considered to be valuable to its owners and loathsome to the perpetrators, was destroyed. The terrorists, dressed in disguise and apparently intoxicated, were able to escape into the night with the help of local citizens who harbor these fugitives and conceal their identities from the authorities. It is believed that the terrorist attack was a response to the policies enacted by the occupying country's government. Even stronger policies are anticipated by the local citizens.

This is in reference to the Boston Tea Party.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/boston-tea-party-was-act-_n_2193916.html

In Texas, grades 1-3, "Heroes" being taught include Teddy Roosevelt, Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Ross Perot, Helen Keller, Steve Jobs, Eleanor Roosevelt and Dolores Huerta.
...Not George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin.

Also in Texas, you're seeing a removal of Columbus (both the person and the day) and a replacement of "American Exceptionalism" with "American Imperialism."

2b. A pushing of communism as a better system of government than capitalism.

This video is used by Pearson Education which owns Texas Connections Academy, an online charter school.
http://www.cbc.ca/chinarises/gettingrich/

2c. Emphasis of World over Country
This leads to a de-emphasis in American History and favors learning the UN Declaration of Rights over the US Constitution.

3. The massive information and statistical information gathering system coming with Common Core.

A recent Dept. of Education report discusses student monitoring techniques using "functional magnetic resonance imaging" and "using cameras to judge facial expressions, an electronic seat that judges posture, a pressure-sensitive computer mouse and a biometric wrap on kids' wrists."

Here's the DOE report:
http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/technology/files/2013/02/OET-Draft-Grit-Report-2-17-13.pdf

It is also worth noting that, in 2012, regulations were issued to CHANGE certain definitions in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. All the information the schools started collecting in 2009 can be shared among various federal agencies and without consent as long as whoever requests it is "conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school".

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I'll be completely honest, I come into this as a skeptic. I do not favor putting control of curriculum in the hands of the federal government. I have stated that, if I was ever in a position of political power, I would be in favor of disbanding the federal Department of Education. That power belongs to the states and local governments.
Plus, the fact that this is finding its way into homeschooling curriculum's worries me even more.

Furthermore, I am borderline outraged that the schools are now being looked at as a government data mining operation. Where's our 4th Amendment right to privacy?

I'm reminded of something Reagan said in 1961.

Now in our country under our free enterprise system we have seen medicine reach the greatest heights that it has in any country in the world. Today, the relationship between patient and doctor in this country is something to be envied any place. The privacy, the care that is given to a person, the right to chose a doctor, the right to go from one doctor to another.

But let's also look from the other side. The freedom the doctor loses. A doctor would be reluctant to say this. Well, like you, I am only a patient, so I can say it in his behalf. A doctor begins to lose his freedom, it's like telling a lie. One leads to another. First you decide the doctor can have so many patients. They are equally divided among the various doctors by the government, but then the doctors are equally divided geographically, so a doctor decides he wants to practice in one town and the government has to say to him he can't live in that town, they already have enough doctors. You have to go some place else. And from here it is only a short step to dictating where he will go.

This is a freedom I wonder if any of us has a right to take from any human being. I know how I'd feel if you my fellow citizens decided that to be an actor I had to be a government employee and work in a national theater. Take it into your own occupation or that of your husband. All of us can see what happens once you establish the precedent that the government can determine a man's working place and his working methods, determine his employment. From here it is a short step to all the rest of socialism, to determining his pay and pretty soon your son won't decide when he's in school where he will go or what he will do for a living. He will wait for the government to tell him where he will go to work and what he will do.

Granted, he was speaking about socialized medicine, but is it such a great leap to think this collected data couldn't be utilized to steer our children into the professions the government thinks the country needs.

I think everyone with children in the Lakewood City Schools needs to look long and hard at what might be coming down the pipe BEFORE they vote for this levy.

I don't have children, but I went through the Lakewood City Schools. I don't want to see this happen.

I feel your pain but you are swimming up stream without a paddle.

The core curriculum will also do away with 8th grade algebra.

Here is something from George Will that not enough people will read:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... story.html

The downhill slide in standards will continue with only occasional interruptions. Think of the European Union. Their economies are collapsing, youth unemployment is approaching 50% in some countries and the answer of their governments is the same: More Europe!!!

Just to make sure we are all in the same page, the levy has NOTHING to do with Common Core.

Common Core is a state issue, not a Lakewood issue. If we have a problem with Common Core, and I certainly might as I continue to review it, don't punish the Lakewood school students. That is the state mandating Common Core, not the Lakewood School District.

Roy,

Here's a direct link to the standards: http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards . There's also a free app for phones and tablets.

Standards and curriculum are two different things. To use a travel metaphor, standards are the destination, and curriculum is how we get there. Please go back and take a close look at the standards for English Language Arts, Grade 10. These are the standards that are associated with the class I actually teach at LHS. You will notice that these standards are pretty much what's been taught in 10th grade English forever, with a few mentions of technology sprinkled in. You'll also notice no requirement that teachers use specific texts. These are skill based standards, and the texts used are still 100% under local control, just as you'd like it.

You might also take a look at the 9th grade Common Core Math standards for Algebra. Mr. Call, this would also be something you'll want to look at as well, so as to clear up your perception that 8th grade algebra would somehow be disallowed or removed as an option here in Lakewood. My wife teaches 9th grade Algebra at LHS. Take a look at the standards and I'm sure you will not find much that is different from Algebra as it has always been, though I hear there's a big push towards more mathematical modeling of concepts.

It's also worthwhile to notice that Common Core Standards in Science and Social Studies do not exist. Therefore, your worries about commies, the one world government people, and labeling of the Boston Tea Party as a terrorist act have absolutely nothing to do with the Common Core Standards. Mr. Call also referred to George Will's article which was about the teaching of social studies in Wisconsin. He should rest assured that nothing mentioned in George Will's piece had anything at all to do with the Common Core standards.

The data being collected in relation to the Common Core standards has mainly to do with student performance on standardized tests, and not the kind of data that might be associated with student or family privacy. Don't get me wrong, I don't like learning being boiled down to standardized test scores, and I'm certain that our student test score data is being sold to education companies like Pearson at the STATE level, but the Common Core Standards aren't to blame for any of that.

I hope this helps. As a teacher in Lakewood, I don't think the Common Core standards are part of a federal takeover of our schools. If anywhere, I'd look at what the state is doing to education right now. There are some serious questions to be asked regarding the new PARCC assessments, teacher evaluation system, and the continued unconstitutional funding of schools based on property taxes. We have a good deal to consider regarding the shifts in teaching and learning that the digital age now presents us and these considerations should be part of a much more broad public conversation about the vision we have for Lakewood's students. As for national vs. local control, I'm undecided. When America is unfavorably compared to other nations in regard to our students' performance, all of those nations have a strong set of national standards with very little local control. On the other hand, as an American, I understand the importance of local control as a key principle of our democracy. It's a tough choice. Are we sacrificing performance for control? Should we? Do we have to? Like I said, I'm undecided.

Roy, I appreciate that you worded your post as a request for more information. My views on the Common Core are in no way representative of the district or my fellow teachers. I'm posting here because I like the conversation and in this instance, I'm one of many people who might be considered "in the know" when it comes to the Common Core standards.

Sean Wheeler wrote:I hope this helps. As a teacher in Lakewood, I don't think the Common Core standards are part of a federal takeover of our schools. If anywhere, I'd look at what the state is doing to education right now. There are some serious questions to be asked regarding the new PARCC assessments, teacher evaluation system, and the continued unconstitutional funding of schools based on property taxes. We have a good deal to consider regarding the shifts in teaching and learning that the digital age now presents us and these considerations should be part of a much more broad public conversation about the vision we have for Lakewood's students. As for national vs. local control, I'm undecided.

Common Core standards have the potential to do as much for education as Whole Language did for reading.

Schools in Finland get a lot of good press for the performance of its students. The schools perform well even though they spend less money than we do,

http://coopcatalyst.wordpress.com/2012/ ... education/

From the article:

1.Finland does not give their kids standardized tests.
2.Individual schools have curriculum autonomy; individual teachers have classroom autonomy.
3.It is not mandatory to give students grades until they are in the 8th grade.
4.All teachers are required to have a master’s degree.
5.Finland does not have a culture of negative accountability for their teachers. According to Partanen, “bad” teachers receive more professional development; they are not threatened with being fired.
6.Finland has a culture of collaboration between schools, not competition. Most schools, according to Partanen, perform at the same level, so there is no status in attending a particular facility.
7.Finland has no private schools.
8.Education emphasis is “equal opportunity to all.” They value equality over excellence.
9.A much higher percentage of Finland’s educational budget goes directly into the classroom than it does in the US, as administrators make approximately the same salary as teachers. This also makes Finland’s education more affordable than it is in the US.
10.Finnish culture values childhood independence; one example: children mostly get themselves to school on their own, by walking or bicycling, etc. Helicopter parenting isn’t really in their vocabulary.
11.Finnish schools don’t assign homework, because it is assumed that mastery is attained in the classroom.
12.Finnish schools have sports, but no sports teams. Competition is not valued.
13.The focus is on the individual child. If a child is falling behind, the highly trained teaching staff recognizes this need and immediately creates a plan to address the child’s individual needs. Likewise, if a child is soaring ahead and bored, the staff is trained and prepared to appropriately address this as well.
14.Partanen correlated the methods and success of their public schools to US private schools. We already have a model right here at home.
15.Compulsory school in Finland doesn’t begin until children are 7 years old.

It's finally happened!!!!!!!! Hell has frozen over!!!!!!!!!

Bill Call is using a Scandinavian model as a "good" comparison!!!!!!!!

Matthew Lee wrote:Just to make sure we are all in the same page, the levy has NOTHING to do with Common Core.

Common Core is a state issue, not a Lakewood issue. If we have a problem with Common Core, and I certainly might as I continue to review it, don't punish the Lakewood school students. That is the state mandating Common Core, not the Lakewood School District.

Yes, you are correct, there is no direct connection between the levy and Common Core.
...
Although, in looking over the Issue 14 flier that was sent to my home a few days ago, it does say "Update instructional materials." Since the schools are now moving to Common Core, they may need new materials to fit the new standards.
So, maybe there is an indirect correlation.
Sidebar: Looking over the flier further, it specifically states, "help increase graduation rates" which says to me we're simply throwing more money at a "problem" and hoping it does the job.

Sean,
Thank you for your thoughts on Common Core. That was the kind of thing I was hoping to see someone write. I just have a handful of things I wanted to mention in response, some about Common Core specifically, some more generalized.

First, I do actually see standards for Social Studies and Science, but they are, for some reason, placed under the heading of "English Language Arts" standards. Maybe that means Language Arts as they pertain to Science or Social Studies...though in my experience, that is taught by the science and social studies teachers, not the English teachers. My English teachers never taught me the definition of a valance level (that's chemistry, by the way).

Here's another URL I found...this one pertains to the UN Human Rights vs. US Constitution.
http://engageny.org/resource/grade-5-ela-module-1

Second, regarding the data mining, I've heard that political affiliation and religious background are going to be part of it, so let me ask how that would have any impact on the standardized tests...
If you're open-minded enough as to take the word (and sources) of Michelle Malkin, here's a recent column of hers that will help fill you in on what I'm talking about.
http://michellemalkin.com/2013/03/15/time-to-opt-out-of-creepy-fed-ed-data-mining-racket/

Third, more generally speaking: You, being in the trenches so to speak, should know that not every kid learns at the same rate or in the same way. Tell me, honestly, doesn't your lesson plan have to be dumbed down to fit the lowest common denominator??
Doesn't this fail to challenge the smart kids?
On this line of thinking, why would federal standards be a good thing?? If Ohio's standards are now at the lowest common denominator of Louisiana, Mississippi, etc. does that do a disservice to our students?
It is the homogenization of the populace. Not a good thing for our freedoms, liberties or education. If any of us is interchangeable with another, where's the value to a life?

If I ever find myself blessed with one or more children, they will be home schooled. I will allow them to excel in whatever they enjoy. If they're at a 7th grade science level in what would be 4th grade, that's great. But if they're also at a 2nd grade math level at the same time, I'm going to work harder with them to understand the concepts. They won't get that benefit from the cookie-cutter public education system or even any private school that I am aware of.

Bill, nice job posting about not modelling ourselves after Europe and then using a European model as an example, all in the same thread! That being said, I think Finland has a good deal to offer as a model for some meaningful education reforms here in the states. I'd also include Australia, Canada, and Scotland as other international examples that might be worth looking into.

Finland DOES have a national curriculum. Here's the link to their website. http://www.oph.fi/english

ps. In a different thread you mentioned starting teachers salaries as being $50k a year and a retiring teacher's pay at $120k a year. Please stop with this numerical slight of hand. After 10 years in teaching, I just broke the $50k threshold. If you're going to toss out teacher's salaries to make a point, try to be more accurate and less inflationary. Thanks.

Roy,

First, I do actually see standards for Social Studies and Science, but they are, for some reason, placed under the heading of "English Language Arts" standards.

The mention of Social Studies and Science under the Language Arts standards applies to the crossover that happens when Science and Social Studies teachers have students compose written responses, write essays, and publish lab reports. The written word, and mastery therof, are applicable in most subjects. I stand by the fact that there are no Social Studies or Science standards in the Common Core.

Second, regarding the data mining, I've heard that political affiliation and religious background are going to be part of it, so let me ask how that would have any impact on the standardized tests...

Patently false. I administer these tests every year, including just a couple of weeks ago. Political affiliation is never broached as a subject, and won't be. As for religion, it also is not part of any of our data. As for being open minded enough for the opinions Michelle Malkin to be considered, I'd just have to reply that being "minded" is enough for me to dismiss her paranoid hogwash.

Third, more generally speaking: You, being in the trenches so to speak, should know that not every kid learns at the same rate or in the same way. Tell me, honestly, doesn't your lesson plan have to be dumbed down to fit the lowest common denominator??

Absolutely not. My students are held to high standards, do very well on these ridiculous high-stakes tests, and are challenged at their own individual levels. The integration of technology tools such as online classroom environments, direct instant messaging, and individualized learning plans all help me to differentiate my instruction to tailor each students individual needs. This is on the increase across the district and the nation. The days of having a teacher up front lecturing to a whole class at the same time are on the wane, and I'd love to invite you to meet with me sometime so that I can show you what a differentiated class looks like both physically and online.

If they're at a 7th grade science level in what would be 4th grade, that's great. But if they're also at a 2nd grade math level at the same time, I'm going to work harder with them to understand the concepts. They won't get that benefit from the cookie-cutter public education system or even any private school that I am aware of.

It might be time to increase your awareness of some of the changes underway in education these days. The example quoted above is exactly where we're headed, and where many schools are already today. Take a look at "Individualized Learning Plans" and the way they are starting to be implemented for every student. There is a definite move away from the "cookie-cutter" model, and Lakewood, from my experience, is very supportive of this shift. I'd also like to mention that I support your right to home school any children you might have. As a professional educator, however, it is noteworthy that people think my job is so easy they could do it on their own without any training or support. I love my job, our district, and interacting with our students. I don't complain about my pay, the hours, or the workload. But it would be nice to at least get the recognition that what I do is a profession, and not some easy task that anyone could do without any preparation regarding pedagogy and curriculum development.

Though we rarely agree, Roy, thanks for asking questions and seeking information. It's obvious that you are a person that values learning.

Now we know why Roy is so concerned about Common Core - Glenn Beck told him to be:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/glenn-beck-obama-common-core-conspiracy

Sean Wheeler wrote:Bill, nice job posting about not modelling ourselves after Europe and then using a European model as an example, all in the same thread! .

Sean Wheeler wrote:ps. In a different thread you mentioned starting teachers salaries as being $50k a year and a retiring teacher's pay at $120k a year. Please stop with this numerical slight of hand. After 10 years in teaching, I just broke the $50k threshold. If you're going to toss out teacher's salaries to make a point, try to be more accurate and less inflationary. Thanks.

I said make not salary.

The amount made includes salary and fringe benefits.

Grace O'Malley wrote:Now we know why Roy is so concerned about Common Core - Glenn Beck told him to be:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/04/glenn-beck-obama-common-core-conspiracy

Mother Jones isn't exactly a bastion of bipartisan news dissemination itself...it practically salutes Stalin's tomb 5 times a day.

I had to leave, hence the shortness of my previous post. I did have more I wanted to say.

Sean,
I graduated from LHS in 98...you may know some of my old teachers...Miss Cure's still there I think, she was my 10th grade English teacher. I will grant you my 1st hand perspective on schooling is old and outdated. I didn't have Internet in school until my senior year, and I was specifically in an online journalism class (first one I think). I can only go on what I hear from others at this point.
It is good to hear that students are getting more individualized treatment.

For a short period of time, we had a IEP-style plan at the library. Patrons who had been kicked out of the library could be allowed back in IF they filled out a form every time they entered stating specifically what they were going to do in the library.
It failed because it was too labor intensive for the staff. Too many people were on it. Too few staff recognized the barred patrons. Too few of the barred patrons actually did it.

I would be interested in your suggestion of meeting, not just to get a better understanding of the school system, but because I've only met about 3 or 4 people from here on the Observation Deck in person.

I am generally not a fan of national standards. Every district has its own strengths and weaknesses.
However, here is a pro-Common Core perspective from another bastion of left wing pinko socialism, the National Review.

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/ ... rter-magee

Glenn Beck's paranoid delusions (remember the "Agenda 21" routine a couple months ago?) seem to be wearing thin with the public.
He's no longer on national TV, and he has now lost an hour of his show on WTAM.

Michael Deneen wrote:Glenn Beck's paranoid delusions (remember the "Agenda 21" routine a couple months ago?) seem to be wearing thin with the public.
He's no longer on national TV, and he has now lost an hour of his show on WTAM.

Beck's tv and radio shows are nothing more than thinly-veiled advertisements for his on-line store: http://glennbeck.shop.musictoday.com/ and speaking appearances. (He reminds me of how Big-Time TV Pro Wrestling back in the day would air Saturday morning wrasslin' action filled with promos: "Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, and tonight only ... at the Smallville Amory, join us for ten action-packed Big-Time TV Pro Wrestling matches. Doors open at 6:30!") HUCKSTERS, all!