The Virginian-Pilot
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New national math and English standards are as good as or better than Virginia's and those in most other states, according to a report out today.
Half of the states have already adopted the new standards, and 10 to 15 more are expected to follow in the next few weeks, said Michael J. Petrilli, a vice president with the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the think tank that released the report.
Virginia, Texas and Alaska have said they will not adopt the common standards.
Patricia Wright, Virginia's superintendent of public instruction, said she will not walk away from the state's Standards of Learning, which have assessments, teacher licensure, curriculum and professional development built around the them.
The Fordham Institute supports national standards and compares them to learning measures in individual states.
Virginia's English standards received a B+ from the institute, the same grade it gave the national standards. But math testing in Virginia got a C, well below the A- given to the national standards, known as the Common Core.
North Carolina, which earned a D for both its English and math standards, was in the first wave of adopters when its board of education signed on to the Common Core in June. The state has supported the idea of national standards for years, said Vanessa Jeter, spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Common expectations will help students who move frequently and will ease collaboration across state lines, she said. "We believe there is a lot to gain from the process of capturing the best thinking among the states to have strong standards."
Wright declined to repeat Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's boast that the state standards are "much superior" to national ones. Instead, she called them "comparable."
McDonnell made his declaration in May at the time Virginia announced it would not pursue funds in the second round of the $4 billion federal Race to the Top grant competition. That decision was made in part because of the competition's push for national standards.
"There will be a group adopting, a group adapting and there will be a group that will be learning from the Common Core," Wright said of the states. "We can improve standards over time if this is what we need to do."
Virginia adopts standards on a seven-year cycle, and both math and English were recently completed. There is still time to make changes to the curriculum framework for English, however.
To see the entire report, go to: http://bit.ly/9nmsmc.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Why, rather why not?
I have hoped for years that both High School AND College would both offer and require a mandatory class call "Real Life".
It would be simple and maybe fun to teach our children:
1....When you sign a lease, you must pay.
2....No, electricity, water, and sewer are not Free! You will receive a bill for these items.
3....How to open a checking account. Don't write checks or use your debit card unless you have money in the account.
4....Yes, you need to take the trash out every week!
5....Change the filter in the A/C every month.
6....Make a list before going to the grocery store!
ETC.
None of these precious children are taught how to exist in everyday life!
I remember this class...
Think I remember these topics --- as well as a lot more ETCs that you refer to --- as subjects my wife and I tried to cover with our children in Parent/Child/Family classes as they grew up. Don't think we ever expected their teachers to replace us as parents --- but call me naive.
Follow the money and then decide.
Take a look at this quote, "Michael J. Petrilli, a vice president with the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the think tank that released the report." Where do you think the Fordham Institute gets it's funding? Do you see a self interest involved? The success of twisting the states arms into using their standard will bring in federal funding for Fordham Institute. I can't help but question these cookie cutter standards. It seems our education system is geared only for students that are college bound. That would be great if every student were that smart in academics or if our job market only needed scholars. Truth is, the majority of students will not be headed to college after high school. Hard fact is, we are not teaching them what they will need to know to survive in the work force. Many people like to compare our education system to that of other countries. Ask yourself this; Would you rather have our standard of living and economy or theirs? Our lifesyle or theirs? I've been to their countries, no thanks.
Facts About Fordham Institute
You may not be in favor of national standards, but please don't further confuse the issue by disparaging one of the top public education research organizations in the country. Fact is that Fordham (no connection to Fordham University) is a PRIVATELY-FUNDED organization that has been promoting greater participation and accountability in education for many years, first in Ohio (where it began), and more recently on a national scale. You can learn more about Fordham here (http://www.fordhamfoundation.org/index.cfm/fordham-mission), and find out who funds their work here (http://www.fordhamfoundation.org/index.cfm/our-funders).
Our chances of improving the country's public education programs would be greatly increased if we would stop making up stories about people and organizations that participate in the debate, and just stick to the facts as we can identify them. And thank you, Fordham, for all you do in that regard.
Adopt or die?
I am sure that the dept of ed's driving force is all the federal ca$h that they will lose once they implement any kind of national standard. VA was once a leader in education and needs to think about that when it is being surpassed by other states.