‘Common’ Core Fails This ‘Uncommon’ Child
Read the last sentence. An autistic child most likely would fail this test. So would a language delayed or ESL child. This is #CommonCoreFail: failing children.
I received the following message from a mom on her son expressing concern on why Common Core would not be appropriate for him. What happens to ‘uncommon’ children (gifted and/or special needs) under a ‘common’ system? Who decides how ‘common’ is defined? Watch this incredible child and think about those questions.
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This is a “twice exceptional” first grader. The video shows him solving a college level algebra problem. He would not be permitted to pass kindergarten math under the rules of common core.
(MEW note: After receiving her message, I asked: How long has he been doing high level math? Anything else you would like to say about Common Core in general? What does “twice exceptional” mean?)
“Twice Exceptional” is the legal term for student with a disability who are also gifted. We homeschool, largely due to Common Core. This particular child has Autism and was without language until the beginning of the 2103-14 school year (1st grade). Sign Language was introduced at that point. He has been learning English through sign language. He started doing math in March 2014. This video was filmed August 2014. He soaking up info in all subjects like a sponge but math is particularly easy for him. We started with preschool math at the start of the school year. We ended with the video you saw.
The primary issue I have with Common Core is that the guidelines are designed to exclude students with certain disabilities, not only from accessing education, but from proving competency. Autism is a good example of this. The language components added to kindergarten math would be difficult for an adult with Autism to complete, let alone a kindergartener. The real kicker is, if a student with Autism is able to pass the requirements they would automatically lose special ed services under the diagnosis of Autism. So students with Autism are specifically targeted as a population for exclusion from graduation, college, employment, etc. These same students are quite capable of completing the work with different wording or without wording at all.
The second issue I have with Common Core is the lowered academic standard. The real use of logic and building of problem solving skills is removed. The US has essentially built a curriculum for a ‘Common’ Core Fails This ‘Uncommon’ Child | Missouri Education Watchdog: