Understanding Common Core State Standards

by John Kendall

In June 2010, the Common Core State Standards Initiative released Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. The goal of these shared national standards? To identify for all stakeholders the knowledge and skills that students must acquire to succeed in college, careers, and the global economy. Now that the Common Core standards are coming to 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, it is essential to understand their content and implications. Understanding Common Core State Standards tells you everything you need to know about the standards, including
* The goals and criteria of the standards and why they are a promising alternative to the old standards-based education model;

* The organization and key aspects of the two overarching sets of standards;

* The benefits of implementing the standards, including intentional instruction, a greater pool of resources, increased collegiality and professionalism, customized learning and multiple pathways, and a more consistent, equitable learning experience;

* What schools can do to transition to the new standards; and

* How the common state assessment systems are being developed to provide interactive, enhanced test items; produce specific, timely test results; and provide an indication of students' readiness for college or career.
This book is an invitation to think about the possibilities that the Common Core standards offer for strengthening teaching and learning across the United States--and what you can do to make the most of this opportunity for change.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I resisted so long to read this book. It's short (56 pages), it's written well enough, it has good basic information about the Common Core. Maybe I was more interested in DOING the transition than READING about it. So, not earth shattering but worthwhile. It offers a decent, though not thorough, history of the development of the standards, a very good explanation of how to read bot the English and mathematics standards, and a chapter on how to work through the transition.

This book is already dated. If you haven't started to work through a transition, it's already late. This year's HS freshman will be the first class to take the assessment on mastery of the standards in grade 11. Last year's Kindergarten students will be the first class to take the test as third graders. The standards offer the possibility of accountability with some teacher autonomy, at least in "how" the content is taught, if not "what" content to teach. What was encouraging to read is that these standards were developed to be only 85% of the curriculum which leaves some promise for teaching them for mastery and perhaps even leaving room for more creative lessons.

John Kendall challenges both Diane Ravitch and Mike Schmoker, both educational icons. That he, Kendall, is affiliated with MCREL truly elevates his credibility in my estimation. Here are a couple of quotes that I found particularly noteworthy: "The greatest beneficiary of the Common Core is the one for whom education is designed: the student." and "We do know a few things. We know that the teacher has the single greatest influence on student learning in the school, and that the backgrounds and experiences students bring to the classroom have an enormous effect on the degree to which those students flourish or struggle to succeed. We also know that holding students to high standards drives them to work to meet what is expected of them." It's what I keep saying, though perhaps not as eloquently - balm to my ears, validation! And a couple of quotes I found amusing: "Now let's say you're teaching a 5th grade class irregular verbs(a subject without which no student, in however free a society, should be able to escape elementary school)..." and "Somewhere in the United States today, students are participating in a lesson activity that is fun but, unfortunately, meaningless."

So, worthwhile reading, but don't wait too long, like I did. It will be irrelevant in another year.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three stars for being informative and easy to read. However, the "Benefits and Concerns" section was not as realistic as it could be regarding concerns. Number one, in California I have not noticed the "manageable number of standards" as of yet. Number two, nothing was said about the cost of all these changes, texts, tests, and technology. Schools are so poor right now. How will all of the Common Core be paid for?

[Michael Terry]

Ok, I haven't read this book yet, but.....this book is only about 70 or so pages? This is a glorified pamphlet. How come 95% of the materials out there about Common Core are about how to implement Common Core? There are so few resources on what Common Core is, why it came into existence, and what the benefits of it are supposed to be. I would kind of like to know why I am implementing something before I blindly do it.

[Daleine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Understanding Come Core State Standards is a book that was written to give people the information they need to know about standards. I did not find it very informational. I use the common core and have for three years and I found this book confusing. I did not find it a positive book. I have studied and unpacked much of the Common Core and did not feel that this book was as informational as it should have been.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unexceptional book that does little to convince me that the educational reform in the US will amount to much improvement in our educational system. But then again, our education system isn't broke to begin with - certainly not to the degree that our political system is. I remain skeptical about the motivation of many of the folks and organizations involved in reform.

[Eric Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good short synopsis of what is to come in public education regarding Common Core Standards. I wonder what the percentage of USKindergarten classes started teaching with CCS this year as the author suggests?

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short book on Common Core movement in U.S. education. It is 56 pages long and took me forever to read. I would read a few pages and fall asleep (and that was during the middle of the day). I know it's not the most exciting topic, but sheesh.....All I can say is...I finished it.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this to prepare for a conference. Having worked with the common core now for a number of years, it was pretty familiar already. This isn't exhaustive, but a nice overview.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives background info on the CCSS. Was familiar with quite a bit of it due to training I've attended, but always good to get different perspectives.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for a graduate class... quick read, good overview. Having already worked with the CCSS for more than 2 years this wasn't anything new but a decent refresher.