CA- Using the CCSS to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners

Jessica Benson

Curriculum and Accountability 

Halladay, J. & Moses, L. (2013). Using the Common Core Standards to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners: Challenges and Opportunities. The NERA Journal, 49(1), 33-44.

Summary

Creation of the CCSS has sparked examination of existing practices and a chance to explore alternate routes to the desired outcomes. Because the CCSS focus on outcomes rather than methods, educators have the opportunity to create the curriculum that best suits their ability and knowledge, as well as student learning styles. There are also major challenges: “How can a single set of standards meet the needs of a large, diverse population of students?” This article focuses primarily on reading in the English Language Arts Standards for K-5 in regards to ESL students and others who struggle to meet the the new standard. Text complexity is one issue the authors bring up, reminding teachers that beginning and struggling readers “will still need to spend time with accessible texts to facilitate skill development”.

Evaluation

The authors identify challenges and opportunities for educators implementing the new ELA Standards, and offer practical implications and suggestions for classroom practice. The focus on providing motivational supports as well as individualized instruction and connections to student experience shows how the CCSS can allow educators to create meaningful literacy learning opportunities. Instructional suggestions for literacy with the two groups mentioned provide the reader with clear examples of learning strategies.

While there are still many gaps in the research about reader traits and text characteristics, adoption of the CCSS creates an important opportunity for attention in this area.