Slide 2 T HE P ROBLEM W ITH C OMMON C ORE AND H IGH S TAKES T
ESTING By Meredith Pierce [email protected] Slide 3
C OMMON C ORE S TANDARDS Mission Statement The Common Core State
Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what
students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what
they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be
robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and
skills that our young people need for success in college and
careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our
communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the
global economy. Slide 4 H IGH S TAKES T ESTING Definition
High-stakes test: A single assessment that is given with the
knowledge that important decisions or consequences are riding on
the result. (In other words, the "stakes are high.") In education,
these decisions often relate to federal and local funding,
placement and graduation decisions or ongoing tenure for teachers.
Slide 5 H OW DO THESE RELATE TO ONE ANOTHER ? The Common Core
Standards are measured by the use of high stakes testing. In other
words, teachers are teaching to simply pass their students and to
keep their jobs. This sounds like an easy task because teachers
know what they have to teach the students to get them through but
this poses many problems that need to brought to the light for the
sake of enjoyment of being an educator and being educated. Slide 6
Internationally Benchmarked Allow states to compare standardized
test scores accurately All states share the same standards, so they
can develop a like test to meet their needs and split costs of test
development Allow teachers to monitor students progress throughout
the year. Pros of Common Core Slide 7 Only have skills associated
with English- Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. There are
currently no science or social studies standards. Cuts creativity
in the classroom Makes it more difficult for teachers to meet every
child where they are at because of the list of things children must
know. Decrease in physical activity in schools- increased obesity
Children are pertaining a lack of social skills which is highly
needed to be college and career ready. Not much room to allow
children to create their own learning which is how they are able to
learn. Cons of Common Core Slide 8 Can allow the teacher to work
harder in a specific area(s) that her students fell short in. As a
parent, you can look at these results to see how well, or poorly,
your child's school is performing. Access to this information will
help you make more informed decisions about where and how your
child will get the best education. Allows children to learn how to
handle pressure, and developing the skills and strategies necessary
to meet the school's expectations Pros of High Stakes Testing Slide
9 Cause any subject that isn't math or language arts to be pushed
out of the classroom. Subjects like science, social studies and the
arts are sacrificed to make time for more test prep Pressure on
teachers can clamp down on creativity and innovation. Thanks to
pressure from the government, teachers often feel compelled to
"teach to the test Increased pressure on parents and students is
counter-productive Causes anxiety in students that should not have
to be felt at such a young age Students who may test poorly reflect
poorly on the teacher Cons of High Stakes Testing Slide 10 M Y S
TANCE I see the importance in teaching the same content across the
nation but I do not want creativity to be completely stifled.
Children learn from playing and hands on experience and with the
push down curriculum theres not much room for that. I want the
children in my classroom to love learning and leave ready for the
next grade but I dont want them to dread school come April because
of the BIG tests. I think Common Core is fine to leave and place
but it shouldnt be measure by high- stakes testing. Slide 11 W HAT
ARE WE TO DO ? Advocate: The act or process of supporting a cause
or proposal Research this more on your own to become informed and
create your own opinion. Get Vocal The Government claims to be for
the people, lets show them what the people really want and care
about. Talk to local administrators about how you feel Be confident
in what you want and dont back down. Slide 12 I N THE C LASSROOM
Enjoy being an educator Encourage your students Give them assurance
that they are valuable Let them know that test scores do not
determine their worth Tell them that you love that they are
learning and working hard and that they should be confident when
approaching a high stakes test Teach the curriculum but be creative
Find ways to allow children to create their own learning while
learning the content in a fun and exciting way. Slide 13 R
EFERENCES AND R ESOURCES http://www.education.
com/magazine/article/ high-stakes-testing- pros-cons/
http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionar y/advocacy
http://childparenting.a bout.com/od/schoollear ning/a/high-stakes-
tests-definition.htm http://teaching.about.c om/od/assess/f/What-
Are-Some-Pros-And- Cons-Of-The- Common-Core- Standards.htm
