I spent some time today reading about the Common Core State Standards initiative. I’m not yet sure what I think of it. My first reaction is that these sorts of federal education standards are usually so bland that they don’t really contribute much to the actual business of education. What do you think?
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My first thought is it’s not a Federal standard. It’s at the state level and since it’s from some associations, it can’t be mandated, only suggested.
The big question is whose agenda it serves? Which lobbies will have influence in how it’s shaped? Will guidance come from parents, educators, administrators, unions, psychologists who are trying to drum up business for their latest “pay me $3,000 to fix your kid” program?
Will they ask American business what they need graduates to know? Will they take input from the touchy feely crowd that expects everything to be dumbed down so the slowest kids don’t feel bad about themselves?
There are so many agendas and competing philosophies and adults who are more interested in how policy benefits them than the kids, that it’s a wonder our kids get educated at all.