Has Common Core Education Really Failed the United States?
Contrary to the belief that Common Core has failed the United States, it has been designed to address the shortcomings of previous state standards, particularly with the aim of standardizing educational material and moving all students to a higher quality of education.
What is Common Core?
Common Core is an agreement among 48 states to adopt a set of shared educational standards. This ensures that children of parents relocating between states move into a similar academic environment, preventing a year or more of potential educational lag. But, this agreement does not change the laws or standards of poor education states. For example, Florida still allows high school graduates to work as substitute teachers, and some states might not require a bachelor's degree for teaching positions even in professional disciplines.
The Actual Impact of Common Core
Common Core was supposed to level the playing field and provide a high-quality education that aligns with the standards set in private college-prep schools. It aimed to ensure that all students, regardless of their state of residence, would have the same educational foundation. However, the execution has fallen short in many instances.
Training Challenges and Implementation Issues
The main issue with Common Core is the lack of proper training. The shift from the 1997 standards to Common Core required substantial professional development, which many public schools have not provided. Educators often require a master's degree to fully understand the changes, let alone implement them effectively.
This inadequate training has hindered the core principles of Common Core. Flexibility and personalization, intended to ignite student motivation, have been lost. The rigid guidelines provided by states have bypassed the intended flexibility of the Common Core standards. Teachers in many states are leaving the profession in droves, exacerbating the problem.
Similar Challenges in STEAM Education
The movement towards STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education has also faced challenges. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, science and social studies were often sidelined due to standardized testing. In the rush to prepare for these tests, the focus mistakenly shifted to merely covering tested content, neglecting the integration of these subjects in a comprehensive and authentic manner.
When the STEAM movement arose, many educators reverted to traditional teaching methods, treating STEAM as an additional subject rather than a holistic approach. This is not true STEAM education, which integrates these subjects in a seamless and practical way, as they are applied in the real world.
Conclusion
While Common Core and STEAM education face significant challenges, they both aim for comprehensive and high-quality education. The primary issue lies in the implementation and training of educators. By providing the necessary professional development and support, we can harness the potential of these educational approaches to benefit all students in the United States.