{"id":190,"date":"2014-10-07T11:01:53","date_gmt":"2014-10-07T11:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mocoedblog.org\/?p=190"},"modified":"2014-10-07T11:02:21","modified_gmt":"2014-10-07T11:02:21","slug":"laurie-halverson-support-idea-of-standards-have-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mocoedblog.org\/?p=190","title":{"rendered":"Laurie Halverson: Supports Idea of Standards, Concerns about Common Core"},"content":{"rendered":"
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  1. Common Core Standards.<\/strong>The MCPS web site does not say much about \u201cCommon Core\u201d standards but instead focuses on its own \u201cCurriculum 2.0\u201d and has teachers and students learning new standards\u00a0through<\/em>\u00a0the county\u2019s developing curriculum and teacher training.\u00a0 Do you support the Common Core?\u00a0 Is MCPS doing a good job of navigating the new standards?\u00a0 And, how would you direct them to do it differently?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I support the general idea of standards for school districts. Standards help parents know whether their child is meeting or exceeding expectations and parents value test scores per school for comparison purposes. Standardized test scores are one tool to help teachers identify students who need support or acceleration. They also provide a gauge for school district leaders in determining whether schools need more support or intervention.<\/p>\n

    Former state superintendent, Nancy Grasmick said in the May 25, 26, 2010 state board minutes that the purpose of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) was to close the achievement gap. But, how we can expect students who already aren\u2019t performing at the lower performing state standard, to close the gap with a new higher standard without significant professional development and additional resources?\u00a0 Standards and curriculum by themselves will not close the achievement gap.<\/p>\n

    It concerns me that 500 early educators signed a statement indicating that they have \u201cgrave concerns\u201d about CCSS:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.edweek.org\/media\/joint_statement_on_core_standards.pdf<\/a>.\u00a0 It also concerns me that some top educators, such as Sandra Stotsky and James Milgram who were on the CCSS validation panel, refused to sign a document to approve CCSS. It concerns me that MCPS has a policy (IFA) on curriculum that states that teachers should have ongoing professional development and parents should be partners in the development of the curriculum. Yet, the minimum amount of teacher training has been optional and parents have had little role in curriculum development and don\u2019t even have access to the learning materials at home. It concerns me that there is no plan in place on how anyone in Maryland can give input if we want to change or improve any of the standards. It concerns me that it is costing our state taxpayers a tremendous amount without legislation or a democratic process: While the federal government gave $4 billion in Race to the Top Grants to certain states, it will cost our nation at least $16 billion to implement it. Many states have passed legislation and are taking action to gain back control over the content of curriculum, but Maryland has not.<\/p>\n

    What I would do differently to direct MCPS as a Board of Education member:<\/p>\n