The Problem With Common Core and High Stakes Testing

The Problem With Common Core and High Stakes Testing By Meredith Pierce Meredith.pierce@smail.astate.edu

Common Core Standards • 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.

High Stakes Testing • 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.

How 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.

Pros of Common Core • 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. • Internationally Benchmarked • Allow states to compare standardized test scores accurately

Cons of Common Core • 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. • 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.

Pros of High Stakes Testing • Allows children to learn how to handle pressure, and developing the skills and strategies necessary to meet the school's expectations • 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.

Cons of High Stakes Testing • 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 • 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

My Stance • 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 there’s not much room for that. • I want the children in my classroom to love learning and leave ready for the next grade but I don’t want them to dread school come April because of the BIG tests. • I think Common Core is fine to leave and place but it shouldn’t be measure by “high-stakes” testing.

What 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, let’s 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 don’t back down.

In the Classroom • 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.

References and Resources • http://www.education.com/magazine/article/high-stakes-testing-pros-cons/ • http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advocacy • http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/high-stakes-tests-definition.htm • http://teaching.about.com/od/assess/f/What-Are-Some-Pros-And-Cons-Of-The-Common-Core-Standards.htm

The Problem With Common Core and High Stakes Testing