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Local educators compare Common Core to current local standards
States are facing key decisions regarding a new education approach called "The Common Core." Nebraska has refused to get on board with 45 other states who have adopted the curriculum.
As 45 states follow the Common Core movement, 5 states including Nebraska are refusing to adopt the standard. "The common state standards has some great resources with them because there are so many states involved with it but I don't think that we should just jump on the band wagon for the sake of jumping on the band wagon," said Dr. Chad Dumas, Director of Curriculum. The Nebraska State Board of Education voted to pay 47 thousand dollars to a national consultant to compare Nebraska's current education standards to the Common Core. The common core is designed to raise academic standards nationwide through a comprehensive set of curriculum standards The initiative places emphasis on key concepts in Math and English language arts. But Dr. Chad Dumas Director of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment for Hastings Public Schools says adopting the system forfeits decisions to Washington. "I think it's really important for us in Nebraska and our local districts to say what do we want kids to know and be able to do? Make sure that aligns with state standards and use the common core to inform what we're doing," said Dr. Dumas. Associate Superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools Robin Dexter says the Common Core will put students on an equal level playing field. "Our math standards at 6th grade Nebraska standards, are taught at third grade with the common core," Robin Dexter, Associate Superintendent Grand Island Public Schools. The Common Core was developed by two state organizations: the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Dexter fears if the state doesn't adopt the movement students could fall behind. "Researching the common core there are just some excellent opportunities to get better at teaching and it's a whole different way of learning math and language arts for students its more about how they learn in today's age and apply that learning to their career their world," said Dexter. According to several studies states implementing the Common Core could save about $927 million dollars. Nebraska's language arts standards were adopted in 2008 and 2009. And those are approaching a state mandated five year review. |
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