The Great Debate

 As a teacher, I have a lot of teacher friends and the common core standards (or any standards) are a topic of hot debate. As I writing teacher, I always tell my kids you must be able to argue both sides. So here we go...

FOR:
Holding educators and academic systems to a set of standards allows all students to learn on an equal academic level despite systemic racism.

If teachers are properly trained to use the standards, it will ensure all students learn the same thing. For example, according to the Common Core Standards, all students would learn to write the three most popular genres of argumentative, informational, and narrative. These are tools that would help all students succeed, especially with higher education. Another example is the Common Core Standards for Language. Grammar is the first thing cut from curriculum. Grammar is important not only in the written sense but also in a verbal sense. If all students were taught the same thing, they would be better equipped to handle their professional futures.

If all standards were taught at every school, no matter the social class, it would close the achievement gap that currently helps assist in racial divided America. For example, at low poverty schools, the expectation is not always in sync with standards which can affect academic achievement compared to higher income districts . This allows the ratio of students being accepted into college to be in favor of those from wealthy school districts. Now while this is not the only factor, it still creates a problem today.

AGAINST:
Academic Standards cannot help the educational system because they are too generalized and limit teacher autonomy.

The standards are vague and are therefore not productive to the education of our youth. In the standards, the strand about writing an informational texts use language like develop topics and use appropriate transition words. However, they do not mention more specific skill sets like "selecting best evidence"or "creating a thesis statement to show comprehension". These skills are crucial to crafting informational texts. While some teachers may be able to develop more specific aims within each strand, not all teachers receive the professional development in which to do so.

Teacher autonomy is often extinguished when standards come in to play. Standardized testing come hand-in-hand with state standards which can lead to teaching to the test. Teachers may feel they cannot do inspiring lessons like what Christensen promotes due to the standard. Students may not be motivated to learn when teachers aren't passionate.


Either way, this will remain the great debate.