Okay so for this blog post, I am going to address an extremely controversial issue - for those who are interested in the topic that is - common core curriculum in school systems, specifically at the elementary level. So I am sure we have all noticed that standards, as they are, adapt to societal norms or needs over the course of time. They are usually a result of a combination of more than one need or desire. Most of us have at least heard about the shifting of the common core curriculum in various states, more specifically in New Jersey. Officials claim that the reasoning behind this is more than anything a result of making children learn in the most efficient way as possible. In reality, the issue just highlights the shifting of the same objectives or goals in learning from one grade to another over the course of time. After speaking with my brother's wife, an elementary school teacher for almost ten years, she made the reality of the issue more apparent. To many teachers it really seems like the goal of changing the common core curriculum in school systems is to keep teachers from becoming what we might refer to as "stagnant." It seems that they will be more proactive, active, and reactive if they have to revise their curriculum in order and method than to reteach the same lessons year after year.
What concerns me in regards to this matter is who actually makes the decision of how to do this. It is ultimately up to the state to make sure this is being done in a manner that they believe is right. Something to think about is that each student is an individual, and that each town or school district may reflect a different type of population (in regards to career options, cultural differences, etc). Having one set standard can therefore be a problem on occasion.
Standards eventually come to reflect society. But at the same time, it seems they are put in place to help mold society into something that it "should be." In this case, the state sets a standard so that children will strive for higher education while keeping teachers engaged and aware. It makes sense to me to have something similar to this, but I am really interested on what other options there could be to yield the wanted results.
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