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Before

Common Core

  1. English classes concentrated on literature, like Huckleberry Finn and Great Gatsby
English classes include a mix of literature and informational texts, like speeches and articles
  1. Students asked about personal reactions and experiences in response to literature
Students must base arguments and essays on evidence from the reading, not their own opinions or experiences
  1. Focus on offering students books at their reading level, known as “just right” texts
All students must read the same “complex” text, whether or not it’s beyond their reading level
  1. Math classes covered multiple topics in the course of a grade, with frequent reviews
The number of topics covered is reduced, so that students move through arithmetic, subtraction and other concepts more slowly; less review
  1. In many schools, Algebra I was taught by 8th grade
Algebraic concepts included earlier, but in most cases Algebra I not taught until high school
  1. Memorization of formulas and practice was prioritized
Memorization is supposed to be coupled with deeper understanding of math concepts and applying formulas in new ways
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Letters to the Editor

4 Letters

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  1. Where is the evidence that English classes have been concentrating on Huck Finn and The Great Gatsby? Not in my own research, published as Forum 4 by ALSCW?

    Why not ask your education reporters to find evidence for their opinions? Sandra Stosky

  2. These changes sound great!!

    Super excited for the Common Core.

    Not one of these changes is a bad thing. What are people complaining about??

  3. I am a 6th grade math teacher and before I actually saw the standards I had great hope that math education would truly move away from being a mile wide and an inch deep. But unfortunately this is not the case at all (although I understand some grades are impacted more than others). I think the standards for mathematical practice should be on your list (models, patterns, critique, etc.). These are incorporated at all grade levels.

  4. Disappointed to see this kind of misinformation here. It is not true that all students must read the same “complex text”. Complexity itself is measured with the student in mind. (Source: Common Core Appendix A, Reader and Task Considerations within Text Compkexity Measures). Too, the informational text should be spread throughout ALL classes, and should not be bumping literature (though it is good practice at times to pair informational text with literature of similar themes.)

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