The problem with public schools

[Anonymous]

is the common core. No matter how good the charter or DCPS, the constant testing and common core is a real drawback. Not saying enough of a drawback to pay $35,000 for a six year old to go to school, but definitely a drawback. To all those parents entering the lottery, make sure the classroom activities are developmentally appropriate for your kids. Some DCPS and HRCS (and Appletree and the like) really are too academic in the early grades.

Report: Requiring kindergartners to read — as Common Core does — may harm some
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/01/13/report-requiring-kindergartners-to-read-as-common-core-does-may-harm-some/?tid=pm_pop

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is the common core. No matter how good the charter or DCPS, the constant testing and common core is a real drawback. Not saying enough of a drawback to pay $35,000 for a six year old to go to school, but definitely a drawback. To all those parents entering the lottery, make sure the classroom activities are developmentally appropriate for your kids. Some DCPS and HRCS (and Appletree and the like) really are too academic in the early grades.

Report: Requiring kindergartners to read — as Common Core does — may harm some
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/01/13/report-requiring-kindergartners-to-read-as-common-core-does-may-harm-some/?tid=pm_pop

Agree, well said. thanks for posting.

[Anonymous]

Yes!

[Anonymous]

How many years have Common Core standards been in place at DCPS? Are you seriously saying that everything was better three years ago and went to hell since then? It doesn't pass the sniff test.

[Anonymous]

Yes, don't you know that it's because of Common Core that kids who have been graduating can't make change and can barely read?

(Yes, let's blame what was newly implemented for the prior decade's failings... and oh, that wasn't me that farted, either, it was the dog, honest!)

[Anonymous]

Common core is just a list of standards. They are not the problem. Testing, and how the test results are used are the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Common core is just a list of standards. They are not the problem. Testing, and how the test results are used are the problem.

NP. I agree with you that Common Core is just a list of standards, and so not a problem. But I don't agree that testing kids is a problem. Testing is just a tool for evaluation. I get that some teachers object to how the tests are used to "grade" teachers and schools, and that's something we can discuss. But as some earlier PP pointed out, it's not like the public schools were thriving before NCLB testing was begun, so I don't think you can legitimately blame the schools' problems on testing. So in short, the problem with public schools is neither Common Core nor NCLB testing -- it's something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Common core is just a list of standards. They are not the problem. Testing, and how the test results are used are the problem.

NP. I agree with you that Common Core is just a list of standards, and so not a problem. But I don't agree that testing kids is a problem. Testing is just a tool for evaluation. I get that some teachers object to how the tests are used to "grade" teachers and schools, and that's something we can discuss. But as some earlier PP pointed out, it's not like the public schools were thriving before NCLB testing was begun, so I don't think you can legitimately blame the schools' problems on testing. So in short, the problem with public schools is neither Common Core nor NCLB testing -- it's something else.

Maybe...and I know this is a radical idea...but maybe there is not a problem with public schools? As far as I can tell, they are getting better and better over time and managing to teach more and more kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Common core is just a list of standards. They are not the problem. Testing, and how the test results are used are the problem.

NP. I agree with you that Common Core is just a list of standards, and so not a problem. But I don't agree that testing kids is a problem. Testing is just a tool for evaluation. I get that some teachers object to how the tests are used to "grade" teachers and schools, and that's something we can discuss. But as some earlier PP pointed out, it's not like the public schools were thriving before NCLB testing was begun, so I don't think you can legitimately blame the schools' problems on testing. So in short, the problem with public schools is neither Common Core nor NCLB testing -- it's something else.

Maybe...and I know this is a radical idea...but maybe there is not a problem with public schools? As far as I can tell, they are getting better and better over time and managing to teach more and more kids.

But there is definitely a problem with parents. Anyone watching Child Genius?

[Anonymous]

I thought this letter in the Washington Post really hit the nail on the head:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-standardized-tests-cant-measure/2015/01/13/a87828f0-99c3-11e4-86a3-1b56f64925f6_story.html

[Anonymous]

"I thought this letter in the Washington Post really hit the nail on the head:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-standa...4-86a3-1b56f64925f6_story.html "

100% disagree. The author is completely wrong. Both the standards and the tests (at least PARCC) teach and measure not just fact base knowledge, but also writing and critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

The only people who don't like Common Core are the ones who are afraid of what it will say about the quality of their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Common core is just a list of standards. They are not the problem. Testing, and how the test results are used are the problem.

NP. I agree with you that Common Core is just a list of standards, and so not a problem. But I don't agree that testing kids is a problem. Testing is just a tool for evaluation. I get that some teachers object to how the tests are used to "grade" teachers and schools, and that's something we can discuss. But as some earlier PP pointed out, it's not like the public schools were thriving before NCLB testing was begun, so I don't think you can legitimately blame the schools' problems on testing. So in short, the problem with public schools is neither Common Core nor NCLB testing -- it's something else.

Maybe...and I know this is a radical idea...but maybe there is not a problem with public schools? As far as I can tell, they are getting better and better over time and managing to teach more and more kids.

Somewhat accurate but we are still behind other nations in math & science. Every foreigner that I have EVER spoken to says that the US teaches math BACKWARDS. Maybe we should start to investigate that opinion

[Anonymous]

Somewhat accurate but we are still behind other nations in math & science. Every foreigner that I have EVER spoken to says that the US teaches math BACKWARDS. Maybe we should start to investigate that opinion

please expand on this concept, not clear at all what you mean

[Anonymous]

Ineffectual teachers and parents are the problem not common core. Failure to identify, intervene and provide proper testing and tutoring assistance to those who need it. - says child of teacher and private tutor who is the one parents turn to when something like Sylvan isn't enough...