Currently at my school we are making the transition to the Common Core Standards. As I have mentioned previously, we teach an integrated mathematics curriculum and now with the Common Core we are being forced to a traditional curriculum. This is a frustrating, because currently our students do very well when they take AP exams with our current curriculum. Our textbooks may be old, but they provide students with great real-world context problems. We really make our students think and not just learn a procedure. I do understand that with the Common Core we are supposed to be able to go deeper on concepts, but as far as I have heard there are more requirements with the same amount of time and this means that there will not be time to go deeper. Finally, I know we have discussed the deadening of creativity and I feel that the Common Core Standards are doing this. We are having teachers in our district work on the new curriculum and essentially they are making lessons that must be taught throughout the year. This takes away one’s ability to teach something to fit their style and be creative. (Up to this point I have not heard any parents’ reactions to the Common Core.)
It's sad that your school is performing well and making those real world connections students need, but will now have to change how things are done to be like everyone else. I agree that Common Core is taking away creativity, along with everything else. The PARCC test that goes along with Common Core is supposed to be administered 3 times a year (if my source is correct), so we are jumping from one standardized test to 3, more time take away from teaching, more test prep. Common Core focuses on going deeper, like you mentioned, and having discussions- which take time…a LOT of time. Every time something new comes down the pipes they make it sound good in order to hide all the bad. I haven't heard much from parents either, and I think there is a reason for that. They don't want parents to know about it. The districts and the state have not done much to inform them about it. We sent home one vague newsletter towards the end of the year. Parents don't need to know what's going on with their kids' education, right?
It sounds like before the CCS you were doing (teaching) what you felt was right for students. Prior to the CCS did you not have to use the AZ State Standards? Did you not feel the same way about those standards? I'm sure even with CCS you will find a way to do the right thing! That's what good teachers do right?
We were following the AZ State Standards. However, the difference is that we take an integrated approach to mathematics that means that the students see the content not once, but multiple times throughout high school. Now my district is making us switch to a traditional curriculum due to the CCS, which means that students will see a concept once and probably won't see it again. In my opinion, students retain the information if they see it more than once and now we will not have the time for this to happen.
That is disappointing to hear, I know integrated, like you mention re-visits concepts, and I know especially in math that spiral review is important. It is interesting that you say the switch is more traditional. I would question though, is CCS, really traditional? I get that there if less focus on creativity, personal narratives, fiction, and so on, but the focus on going deep, with fewer standards, I believe is the approach. My concern is that may not be all that effective, and are these standards really going to evoke critical thinking? I wonder too, are CCS really going to make students better, or just make teachers work harder? Good to hear your experience, thanks for sharing.