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When the Common Core State Standards were launched in 2010, former Los Angeles Unified superintendent Roy Romer announced his high expectations for the initiative: “The common standards will provide an accessible roadmap for schools, teachers, parents and students, with clear and realistic goals.”
Now, more than five years later, the Common Core is still making headlines, but feelings are mixed as to whether or not the standards can live up to this vision.
According to recent research from Sacramento State’s EdInsights Center, there is currently a strong sense of optimism among both policymakers and educators – and widespread support for the Common Core across the state. But despite the California Department of Education’s efforts to develop a systematic implementation plan and provide resources, my work in schools across the state has shown that “initiative fatigue” is setting in and there’s confusion and frustration regarding implementation among educators at all levels.
Given this – and now that 2014 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress data are available – it’s clearly a crucial time to shift the focus from planning and transitioning to implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). I see great potential for the Common Core to help California’s students succeed before and beyond graduation, but successful implementation will depend on listening to lessons learned from the field.
Since the release of the Common Core standards, we have partnered with school leaders nationwide to assess both successes and challenges faced in implementing the standards. Based on that work, here are four key considerations for school and district leaders to think about when it comes to getting Common Core implementation right:
The Common Core was born out of bold visions for teaching and learning that require thoughtful, thorough approaches to planning and implementation. In my work supporting educators, I always explain that the Common Core implementation is a marathon, not a sprint. But with the standards now being taught in every California classroom, we’re at a critical moment in that race when it’s more important than ever to focus on getting it right. And the students we serve need us to get this right.
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Michael Moody is the founder of Insight Education Group.
The opinions expressed in this commentary represent those of the author. EdSource welcomes commentaries representing diverse points of view. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review our guidelines and contact us.
The system has enrolled more in-state residents, but not enough to meet targets set by the state.
Two prominent organizations say the proposal would dismantle progress made to improve reading instruction for those students.
Fresno City College professor Tom Boroujeni is unable to fulfill his duties as academic senate president while on leave, the latest update reads.
This is a continuing EdSource series on proven innovations in higher education that relate to the problems facing California’s higher education systems.
Comments (4)
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Don Krause 8 years ago8 years ago
Insight Education Group is business that profits, at this time, through Common Core consulting. The whole article is CCSS promotion. The stealth premise is clear, if only implied: CCSS is stalling and in order to get implementation right districts need the services of IEG. Mr. Moody says, "The Common Core does not dictate how teachers should teach, but it’s clear that successful implementation requires teachers to apply proven strategies that are aligned to … Read More
Insight Education Group is business that profits, at this time, through Common Core consulting. The whole article is CCSS promotion. The stealth premise is clear, if only implied: CCSS is stalling and in order to get implementation right districts need the services of IEG.
Mr. Moody says, “The Common Core does not dictate how teachers should teach, but it’s clear that successful implementation requires teachers to apply proven strategies that are aligned to the standards.” That implies that teaching strategies are de facto Common Core “requirements” if in fact the standards cannot succeed without them. That’s where IEG comes in. Why do CCSS proponents feel the need to constantly clarify that CCSS is not a pedagogical prescription?
Replies
ann 8 years ago8 years ago
Absolutely correct, Don. These "consultants" thrive in the so called "reform" environment that prevails. Its always interesting to look into the warrants and POs to see the multitude of these kind of expenses. It is, of course, a lot more difficult for the average citizen to find such spending in the labyrinth that is the budget. Adding insult to financial outlay, one can rarely find any verification, validation, criterion of any kind showing these … Read More
Absolutely correct, Don. These “consultants” thrive in the so called “reform” environment that prevails. Its always interesting to look into the warrants and POs to see the multitude of these kind of expenses. It is, of course, a lot more difficult for the average citizen to find such spending in the labyrinth that is the budget. Adding insult to financial outlay, one can rarely find any verification, validation, criterion of any kind showing these consultants have had any success.
FloydThursby1941 8 years ago8 years ago
What is the solution?
CarolineSF 8 years ago8 years ago
I came across a piece of entertainment writing today, by a freelance entertainment writer with no evident background in education, that used “Common Core” as an archetype for, basically, boring, deadening and uncreative. Discuss among yourselves.