State review could stretch definition of Common Core standards
A student works in an eight grade algebra class at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
ALBANY — As the Common Core task force and state Education Department ready their recommendations for the governor, the reviews raise the prospect of a new set of education standards that isn't recognizable as Common Core.
The Common Core, a framework composed of more than 2,000 rigorous education standards, was adopted by New York State in 2011 as part of its buy-in to the federal Race to the Top program. Education policy makers and task force members who are now tasked with reviewing the standards have discussed how much they can change, how much they should change and even the possible need to change the name of the standards to reflect the modifications — moves that would seemingly relieve copious political contention and play to growing public discontent regarding the Common Core.
“Every state has to weigh what would make sense for them because there are consequences,” said Carrie Heath Phillips, program director for College-and Career-Readiness Standards at the Council of Chief State School Officers.
If states add too much to the standards, it could bog down the teaching process, and if states take too much out, it could reduce the standards' effectiveness, Heath Phillips said. Too many changes would also damage the Common Core's interstate uniformity.
“That’s the real flag that goes up,” Heath Phillips said. “The goal that states were looking towards with developing standards is that they would have standards that would prepare our kids to be college and career ready, that this would create greater consistency for students [and] if they move state to state, they would have similar expectations, and for teachers as well.”
The state education department, under end-of-session legislation, is currently examining the standards for possible changes. In September, Cuomo also appointed a Common Core task force to review the standards, calling for a “total reboot” of the state education system.
Task force recommendations are expected to be in to the governor this week, in time for his January State of the State address. The education department review will continue through June.
Both reviews come after a massive test refusal movement in April when more than 20 State review could stretch definition of Common Core standards | POLITICO:
