Common Core: Will it hurt struggling readers?
(Astrid Riecken/FOR THE WASHINGTON POST)
The debate over the Common Core State Standards continues. Here an author writes about potential problems with Common Core implementation regarding reading instruction. This was written byLaura Robb, a veteran teacher, teacher mentor and author of books on reading for middle school teachers, early literacy and professional development. She has also created curricula for The Great Source Education Group.
By Laura Robb
I worry that the way many states want teachers to implement the Common Core State Standards will result in a larger population of students who struggle with reading and writing.
The Common Core’s explanation of “the reader and the task” makes clear that it is the teacher who has the knowledge about his students reading abilities; it is the teacher who can best decide whether students can read and learn from a specific text.
However, I see the Common Core in conflict with itself because the standards say that that all students should be reading complex, grade-level texts by the end of the school year. If a teacher decides to offer English language learners or developing readers texts they can learn
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Adults to take standardized test forced on students
Dozens of Rhode Island legislators, city officials, and other adults will take a version of the state’s high-stakes standardized tests for students to focus attention on a new state graduation testing policy that is threatening to hold back large percentages of students.
The action is being organized by theProvidence Student Union and will be held this Saturday at a public library in Providence. Aaron Regunberg, executive director of the student union, wrote in an email:
Students are trying to push back against the idea that a single test score can measure the entirety of a person’s value, worth, and future success by inviting objectively successful people to take the test themselves and see how they do. We have already had some elected officials and community leaders take it — and not score high enough to graduate — and this Saturday we’re doing a whole event where students will be proctoring and administering the test to a large group of accomplished adults.
