Rothman Bookstudy

I am starting the new book study for our Achievement Services NING.  For the next nine weeks or so, we will be looking at the book written by Robert Rothman entitled, "Something in Common: The Common Core Standards and the Next Chapter in American Education" (2011).  I want to begin this study by looking at the Foreward by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. from North Carolina.  Here are some points he made in the forward:
1.  Our young people are not keeping pace with their international peers in math, science, and reading. (ix).
2.  Achievement gaps still persist, and college remediation rates are abysmal. (ix).

Governor Hunt goes on to say that he has three reasons why he supports the movement in Common Core...
1.  First is equity.  Equitable education is a civil right for all Americans.  Governor Hunt believes the Common Core will help to ensure children will have an equitable education regardless of where they may live, and their success will be based on their abilities rather than their geography.  He believes this improves the lives of our children as well as sustaining and strengthening our democracy.

2.  Second is economic.  Students in today's society must compete globally in this transient society in which we live.  He believes our most globally transient children (i.e. military families with school age children) will definitely benefit from our new Common Core Standards.  There has been little progress in American education in the past 50 years.  Governor Hunt believes Common Core Standards could help turn this around.

3.  The process the standards were created is his third reason.  First the initiative rose from the various state leaders that created consortia to determine the best course of action for all states.  The standards that were created as a result of the research of the educational experts were tested against international standards for competitiveness, rigor, teachability, and importance.

Governor Hunts makes a special effort to make sure everyone understands these standards are not federally mandated, federally funded, federally developed, nor or they federal standards.  These standards were not imposed on states... They emerged from states...

What are your thoughts on Common Core State Standards?

Let's get this book study started!