Current Educational Change, Essay Example

The Common Core Standards emerged as an initiative led by states to create a common expectation of what students should learn in each grade level across the nation.  To date, only five states have not adopted these standards, but these states likely will in the near future.  Currently, the Common Core addresses only English/Language Arts and Mathematics, but other subjects will be added later.  Teachers, researchers, and administrators worked to create these standards, and they represent the best evidence-based practices in education.

The implications for learning resulting from the Common Core Standards are many.  The Common Core are more rigorous than the standards of most states.  The Common Core require students to become familiar with skills at an earlier level than previously required.  These standards build a base in grades K-5 that students then practice and synthesize through late elementary into middle school and refine in high school.  Mastery of the skills in the standards is scaffolded after the skills are introduced and over the course of many years.  Thus, students will develop a varied and complete skill set before leaving high school.  These skills have been aligned with college and career needs and will be easily transferrable to the next level of education.  Additionally, since most states have adopted/will adopt the Common Core, the chance for states to collaborate nationally is available.  Also, textbooks and other curriculum will no longer have to match each state’s standards; they will just have to match the Common Core.

Because these standards were developed from already existing state standards, the transition will not require discarding a state’s entire curriculum.  Instead, most states will be able to use lessons and curriculum that they have already developed.  They will just need to adjust the rigor of their curriculum and the pacing.

Action Plan: Math 6-8

References

Common core standards. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/