Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/153549
Who is really benefiting? Local mom sounds off on the Common Core By: JESSICA PAKENHAM A few months ago I went to the open house at my son's elementary school. At the meeting we were all informed about the new Common Core curriculum. At first it sounded like a great idea, but a few of us didn't understand why the state wanted to change the terminology for simple math expressions, but we figured we could handle the change. Jessica (above) feels that the Common Core standards are not about her kids and learning but are really being used to set standards for teachers. Is it really about the kids? What bugs me about the Common Core curriculum is the "standards" that must be met at each grade level. I, for one, feel that every child is an individual and learns in different ways and at different paces. How can our education system possibly group all children together as one and expect the same result from every child? What am I paying for? I understand the public school system has its limits and that I as the parent must do my part to give my child a well-rounded education, but then what am I paying over $8,000 a year in taxes for? A new system that wasn't tested before being put in place? Who's being graded? After speaking to other parents and teachers from other parts of the country that have already started using the Common Core, it seems this is more about a standard for teachers than the kids. It is a way to grade teachers on their results. It has also been said that it gives school districts a way to fire teachers even if they have tenure. If a teacher does not have a certain percentage of students in the agreed upon grade range, they can be fired. Is it fair? Teachers are now stressed about the results. How is this benefiting our kids? Now I know my son is smart, but I also know he does not do well with pressure. I have spent well over an hour with our son on homework that probably should only take 15 to 20 minutes. But that extra time and practice is what our son needed to understand the work. If we had pushed him to get it done faster it would have been a disaster. Our teachers are doing the best they can, given the circumstances. This Common Core crap is doing nothing, but hurting our students and our teachers. Jessica Pakenham is a graphic designer and mother of two from Modena. HVParent.com Hudson Valley Parent 21 iron dragon martial arts hawk meadow montessori school