What do you people think of this? http://www.globenewswire.com/news-r...dation-Launches-Open-Online-K-12-Courses.html
My first reaction is that anything that claims "common core" I want nothing to do with!!! However, a few years back, we would have seriously looked at the Calculus class, because Rachael needed one. Now, if any of my kids were to take Calc, we would use the material we bought for Rachael.
I say that the more options that are out there, esp free ones, that might help people who should be homeschooling but are afraid to, come out of their shell and do it, the better.
I don't get the hate of common core either. Really if you look at the common core standards, they are things kids should know.
Common Core is an attempt by the Federal Government to set standards in education. First of all, the Constitution relegates education to the STATE or LOCAL government, NOT to the Feds. Decisions about curriculum should NOT be made at the Federal level. The higher the level of government involved (and the higher the level of government involvement!), the less flexibility there is, and the more difficult it is to meet the needs of individual students.If a parent has trouble with what's being taught in the schools, the principal or super can just throw up his arms and say, "We have no say! The Feds mandate this!" Then there's the issue of how will it affect hs'ed kids. I'm having fits as it is that "all" graduates need to have Algebra 2. WHY? What about a child that isn't as academic and would be better off in an apprenticeship program? Standards need to be put in place at a LOCAL level, not a NATIONAL level.
I totally agree with your point that education should be as local as possible. but the idea of a common core underlying the education of an American student is an idea with roots all the way back to the beginning of this nation. It's a notion pushed especially by E.D. Hirsch. So.....I join you in opposing any top-down approach to education but.......we are HSers. what do we care about what the Feds do with education? haha!!
I care because a free society can't exist without quality public education. And I care because these "core values" WILL influence homeschooling. College entrance tests will be written reflecting these "core values". The Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) is required for graduation in this state by all BUT homeschoolers. The local community college allows high school students to take classes. Rachael did this her Senior year. We were considering enrolling Faythe this year. But the college has changed its requirements. The COLLEGE now requires all high school Juniors and Seniors to pass all sections before enrolling. We've discussed it with them (not only me), and explained that hs'ed kids are not required to take this test. Doesn't matter, since it's the college, not the state, requiring it. And this is the sort of thing I think will come out of Core Values. It will force not only WHAT to teach, but HOW to teach. It will take ALL flexibility away from the local schools, and therefor, from the parents.
Again, well said Jackie! I don't think that people realize that once the Federal Government starts telling us what we can and can not teach our children we will be in real trouble.It will start with public school, but then make it's way into homeschools.
I will say this regarding the common core (and like Jackie, it's not the standards that bother me so much as the Federal Government controlling the education of the all the children in the whole nation) and the CRC treaty and stricter gun laws.... Our government...is following a little to closely in Hitler's footsteps for my comfort. Dumb them down, control the children, control the media, take their guns....then what can they do????
These are free materials based on common core objectives. You the user can chose to implement any or all or none of the lessons. What harm is there then in them being based or in sync with common core curriculum standards. No one will be looking over your shoulder to see what page you used or did not use. Additionally, like it or not, our kids will compete with and have to be measured against students who were taught the common core curriculum learning objectives. The courses in college will have been created with an expectation that my student will have been exposed to certain material.
Vantage, my oldest is holding her own very well in college, without my resorting to a "common" standard. Whenever a "common" element is involved, it makes the teachers "teach to the test", which means they're more interested in a student being able to regurgitate information, rather than being able to assimilate the information. As my husband puts it (with his 25+ years in public middle/high school), "We're great at producing trained monkeys." I also said that, if this existed a few years back, I would have investigated the Calculus course for Rachael.
Jackie and Josie, you have both stated my feelings exactly, so I don't have to repeat it all. So, DITTO!
Almost everyone here has taught the core curriculum learning objectives one way or another. They may have used materials that included these items, or put them together a lesson at a time. They may have used Themed lessons with a one school house approach, or had their students read extensively from a Charlotte what'shername list. The end result being that for the most part, the core curriculum learning objectives are taught in the end. Who is it that will be teaching for the test in a homeschool. What test. Are you going to write it? Pay for it? What test are you speaking of. Who are these Hitlerian Jack-booted thugs who are going to arrive at your home just because you are using a textbook based on a commonly accepted list of learning standards. How is the mind control going to take place if you are the one doing the teaching in an environment you created? Sorry I don't get it. Perhaps my tin hat is depriving my brain of needed oxygen.
First they will define them, then implement them, then insist upon them, then dictate them, then insist that ALL kids must be taught them on THEIR timeline... where does it end?
Vantage..."their" timeliness is the kicker...here's a somewhat extreme example - but not completely off base: ok, sure I believe that before a child goes off to college they should be taught that in order to make a baby a penis must enter a vagina (in ordinary circumstances.) But really, before leaving home it's not NECESSARY to have been taught that. But what about when the Federal govt says you must teach it by 5th grade...or by 2nd grade...or before entering Kindergarten? And there's no way around it because it will be on the standardized test - that they are required to take each year at a monitored testing center. And if you refuse to take said test or do not obtain a certain score then you will face either truancy consequences or no longer be allowed to homeschool. Why, really, is it necessary, ever, for our children to be able to compete with public school children in subject matter before taking college entrance exams? And given the answer of never, then why must there be a federal mandated timeliness of teaching certain subject matter?
