Why are people so upset about Common Core?

[Anonymous]

Yeah, that's how standardized tests work. There are right answers and wrong answers, as measured by the test designers. No way to get around that, on a standardized test.

Why do you believe we have good test designers? Do you have any idea of the process that is supposed to take place in the validation of a test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Finally I can't really explain well why 2 fractions are equivalent, in writing. I can show it with models easily, but can't explain it simply, in words, in a way that will make sense to most people. And I'm not dumb or bad at math.

And, there's the rub. The teachers will have to waste time teaching the kids how to explain their answers. That will take valuable classroom time away from far more important skills.

I think you should just calm down. This is one question on the PARCC. There are plenty of other perfectly fine questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yeah, that's how standardized tests work. There are right answers and wrong answers, as measured by the test designers. No way to get around that, on a standardized test.

Why do you believe we have good test designers? Do you have any idea of the process that is supposed to take place in the validation of a test?

It is certainly legitimate to ask that test designers show proof that the test they have designed has been validated.

If it hasn't been, that is a valid, specific, complaint to make, and would sound much better than this ranting against everything remotely associated with Common Core.

Someone here (you?) has been engaging in nothing but FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) to make vague complaints that other people here have been proving, time after time, are based on incorrect assumptions.

[Anonymous]

Someone here (you?) has been engaging in nothing but FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) to make vague complaints that other people here have been proving, time after time, are based on incorrect assumptions.

There's more than one poster against CC on this board.

[Anonymous]

FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt

That's just great. Challenging a program based on experience and observation is fear mongering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Finally I can't really explain well why 2 fractions are equivalent, in writing. I can show it with models easily, but can't explain it simply, in words, in a way that will make sense to most people. And I'm not dumb or bad at math.

And, there's the rub. The teachers will have to waste time teaching the kids how to explain their answers. That will take valuable classroom time away from far more important skills.

I think you should just calm down. This is one question on the PARCC. There are plenty of other perfectly fine questions.

Actually, no, it's riddled with really bad questions, and teachers all over the country are questioning the value of the tests.

[Anonymous]

http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2014/04/its-not-implementation-stupid.html

It's Not the Implementation, Stupid



"....One of the favorite fallback positions of beleaguered fans of the Common Core has been, "The Standards are actually swell. It's the implementation that's messed up."



....

[Anonymous]

I would love to know more about the process and people involved in the writing of the standards. The CC website talks about input and committees, but no real specifics. Can anyone guide me to a source?

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/01/18/everything-you-need-to-know-about-common-core-ravitch/?tid=pm_local_pop

This may have been posted before. Standards were developed and adopted quickly. No field testing in classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Finally I can't really explain well why 2 fractions are equivalent, in writing. I can show it with models easily, but can't explain it simply, in words, in a way that will make sense to most people. And I'm not dumb or bad at math.

And, there's the rub. The teachers will have to waste time teaching the kids how to explain their answers. That will take valuable classroom time away from far more important skills.

I think you should just calm down. This is one question on the PARCC. There are plenty of other perfectly fine questions.

There will be a lot of questions like this. As others have tried to tell you, you can't separate the standards from the evaluation. They are intricately linked.

I am not sure what to do. Would like to move to VA to get away from CC, but afraid that would put my kids at a disadvantage when it comes time for college entrance exams, since they are being re-written to be geared towards CC. Maybe because of this the holdout states will be pressured to join CC anyway. What do you all think?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure what to do. Would like to move to VA to get away from CC, but afraid that would put my kids at a disadvantage when it comes time for college entrance exams, since they are being re-written to be geared towards CC. Maybe because of this the holdout states will be pressured to join CC anyway. What do you all think?

Depends on whether you want an education or good test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am not sure what to do. Would like to move to VA to get away from CC, but afraid that would put my kids at a disadvantage when it comes time for college entrance exams, since they are being re-written to be geared towards CC. Maybe because of this the holdout states will be pressured to join CC anyway. What do you all think?

Depends on whether you want an education or good test scores.

Which is which? I think standardized tests are overused, but as long as colleges consider SAT scores, it's a necessary evil to do well.

[Anonymous]

Evaluating schools and teachers on standardized tests is what is leading to the problems. It encourages teaching test taking skills more than real learning.

[Anonymous]

I don't recall being given lessons on taking the SAT in school though- to teachers do it now? I recall getting some books to take practice tests, brushed up on vocab and algebra, but never had a private tutor or anything like that. I think the uncertainty as to what the new SAT will look like is causing anxiety- if it really is going to be aligned with CC, then what about students who aren't in CC.

[Anonymous]

I don't recall being given lessons on taking the SAT in school though- to teachers do it now? I recall getting some books to take practice tests, brushed up on vocab and algebra, but never had a private tutor or anything like that. I think the uncertainty as to what the new SAT will look like is causing anxiety- if it really is going to be aligned with CC, then what about students who aren't in CC.

I suspect they will be better off. Teachers will be able to teach critical thinking skills without the stress of being sure that they are the "right" critical thinking skills.