Okla. Supreme Court upholds Common Core repeal

Talking with a friend yesterday; teachers in the local area have been so tied to test scores, that they don't believe they can actually teach. For example, if a math teacher tries to teach pre-calculus (high school level), they know their student test scores are going to be lower because the material is harder and more challenging; and lower scores are what gets them labeled as "ineffective" and eventually fired.

So most teachers are avoiding the harder subjects because they feel their jobs are threatened.

A Pinterest cartoon my wife showed me asked the question: in the space of only 100 years, how did we go from requiring Latin to teaching remedial English--at the college level?

The answer is: When we decided the students' feelings are more important than actual learning, and said that if your students don't all score A's, you're a bad teacher and we'll find someone else to do the job....

 

That's because the teachers' unions have no interest in providing education. Their primary interest is membership and money, while the teachers in the classrooms are left to fend for themselves. The NEA and AFT only get involved when there are cameras and reporters present.

 

Rev - I disagree. That philosophy says teachers are the ones responsible, and puts no responsibility on the student.

We need educational standards that are measurable, but we need to put the emphasis on students, not teachers. Teachers can inspire; but they can't make an unwilling student learn, any more than you or I can make a horse drink.

If the American government and commercial sectors identify the skills and education they require, then the curriculum should identify those skills and education as the minimum requirement; and it should be hammered into students that if they want a job, they have to meet at least that minimum requirement...or better, if they want more money.

Instead, we have people saying they should get paid $15/hour for flipping burgers, sending the message that education doesn't matter because we'll take care of them.

That's not the teachers fault.

 

I understand what you're saying. The accountability should be the jobs sector. When a business hires someone, they should note the school; if the employee under-performs, after graduating from an institution that basically stated the employee could do the job because they graduated from that institution, then a report should be filed. Certain number of reports, and the institution should be held accountable for the lack of ability to meet the workforce requirements. THAT'S how the Department of Education should work, in my personal be-it-ever-so-humble opinion.

You have multiple teachers working to the same goal: reputation of the institution to meet the minimum requirements for the workforce.

As it stands, we have a system that says it doesn't matter what subject you teach; you didn't meet the required number of students passing, so you're a lousy teacher.

As for the Common Core thing - in all honesty, the reasons are mixed. Some didn't like it because it took away their academic freedom to teach beyond just the basics. Some didn't like it because of some of the content. And some didn't like it because it required them teach to a particular standard, instead of allowing them to teach to whatever standard they decided upon.

By the way: I teach at the community college level, and am trying to correct what my students didn't get in high school.