An Idiot's Guide to the Common Core

Samnath, Kayla 

CA-Common Core Assessments

Fastman, B. (2013, August 15). An Idiot's Guide to the Common Core. Retrieved March/April, 2016, from http://www.independent.com/news/2013/aug/15/idiots-guide-common-core/

Summary: 

            Author Brandon Fastman explains what exactly common core is, and how it effects schools curriculum. The article was written in 2013, when the common core standards were first initiated. It became apparent that kids in the US were falling behind “on global education benchmarks, college, and career readiness” (Fastman, 2013). This disparity caused both the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to collaborate on finding a solution. Together, these groups created the Common Core standards. Fastman (2013) explains that common core “sets goals for K-12 classrooms that emphasize depth over breadth”. Rather than classrooms focusing on the correct answers, they focus on how students reached the answer. Common core puts an emphasis on deep thinking. Due to this emphasis, the teacher-student relationship can vastly improve. Instead of an instructor being an authority figure, they are viewed as a mentor and learning partner (Fastman, 2013).  According to Fastman (2013), the biggest changes will be seen in English and Math. In regards to English, there will be more nonfiction texts and literary texts. The author then goes into how texts should be “read in conjunction with historical documents… and there will be more emphasis on students reading and writing in other subjects” (Fastman, 2013). The hopes are that common core will teach problem solving skills, and show the real world applicability of subjects. In the subject of Math, common core will make real world connections to show how the math is used every day.

            Despite the high hopes of this new curriculum, there are still proponents who criticize this new system. Studies show that “poor minority children fare far worse in school than kids from white middle-and upper-class backgrounds… the U.S. is the most stratified…the U.S. reported a higher percentage of poor and ill-educated children than its peer nations” (Fastman, 2013).  Some teachers fear that common core will alienate the students who are learning English as a second language. More reading and more writing presents a major challenge for these students. Another problem with common core is standardized testing. The standardized testing is supposed to be well balanced, and a fair evaluation of student competencies. The tests will also be done on computers, which will not only boost technological skills, but allows students to test more efficiently.

Review: 

            Brandon Fastman’s 2013 article is extremely useful for individuals who are novices to teaching and educational theory. Fastman explains how and why common core standards were created. He does a great job explaining how the standards will change current curriculum. Although the implementation of these new changes seems as though it is a daunting challenge, others view it as a welcomed change. Fastman also explains the supporters and challenges of common core. The issues Fastman discusses are very serious, and should be considered heavily during this process of change in the school systems. Economic differences can have large impacts on students and schools. There are also many issues with this new curriculum for students who are learning English as a second language. With a heavier emphasis on reading and writing, and the introduction of more texts, these students might fall behind.

            Fastman explains the concepts of common core in an easy to understand manner. He explores different aspects, both good and bad, of common core standards. I would recommend this article for anyone who is just beginning their research into educational theories and educational assessments.