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The Common Core Learning Standards developed by the states are critical to closing the educational, and therefore economic, gaps that exists in this country.
The very vocal opposition to the Common Core is confounding – who would argue with setting higher goals for students to reach at the end of each grade in English and math? Much of the opposition to Common Core spills over from complaints about testing, teacher evaluations and the way Common Core was rolled out. These, however, are separate issues.
High Achievement New York, along with the Buffalo Urban League (Buffalo, NY), members of the education reform group America Achieves and the superintendent of Randolph Central Schools in Cattaraugus County recently joined forces in an attempt to set the record straight.
High Achievement New York, around only one year, has support from educators, parents, advocacy groups, businesses and community groups. Moreover, it has impressive backing from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is the foundation primarily responsible for financing and promoting the Common Core. It also has the support of the Helmsley Charitable Trust and Robin Hood, a New York City anti-poverty organization.
The learning standards have been voluntarily adopted by 44 states and the District of Columbia, with each state independently responsible for implementation and each district responsible for creating its own curriculum. Fully embraced, it offers opportunity for students of every demographic and economic background.
The idea is to better prepare children for college and the work world. As Buffalo Urban League President and CEO Brenda McDuffie said, “We see it as a civil rights issue” to ensure all children are prepared to find work and succeed in today’s economy.
As McDuffie pointed out, too many students are entering college without the proper preparation. Those still needing remedial course work tend to get discouraged and drop out, to the dismay of parents who had no idea their children were being ill-prepared in high school. This is a problem especially evident in urban school districts.
To read the full article, please visit: http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/buffalo-news-editorials/educators-parents-should-embrace-common-core-as-the-way-to-close-education-gap-20150614
