Rothman, Chapter 2

I am irritated this morning, so I probably should not be writing.  But here it is anyway.  Here are some interesting facts that led to our current initiatives in education, such as CCSS.
1.  In 1989, George H. W. Bush (R) called together the nation's governors for only the 3rd time in the history of our country.  Here's what they all agreed:  The Global Economic Competition demanded a national response.  National goals would raise national performance.  Interesting concept.  Bush announced 6 goals:

• every child will enter school ready to learn
• the high school graduation rate will be at least 90%
• all children will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 (PISA tested grade levels, mind you) demonstrating competency in challenging subject matter.
• US would be first in mathematics and science throughout the world.
• Every adult would be literate.
• All schools would be safe and drug-free.

2.  In 1969 (BTW - great year) the NAEP was created to measure national performance in Math and ELA among other core subjects.  There are limitations to its usefulness to schools.  It is a sampling of students.  Students take only a portion of the complete test.  It is a low-stakes test.
3.  In 1986 the NCTM convened to begin the construction of a "coherent visionof what it means to be mathematically literate" in a diverse world.  In 1989 they released a document report, "Curriculum and Assessment Standards for School Mathematics".  It was noteworthy for two reasons, (1) represented a consensus view of what should be taught in school mathematics to all students; and (2) inspired other subject-matter organizations to consider the knowledge and skills essential to their disciplines.
4.  In 1991, President Bush proposed "America 2000"  that called for "world-class" standards in 5 core areas: ELA, Math, Science, History, and Geography.
5.  In June of 1991, Congress created a commission to study the "desirability and feasibility" of national standards.  (NCEST)  In 1992 the panel issued a ringing endorsement for national standards, stating that "high standards and assessments tied to them can promote educational equity, preserve democracy, enhance civic culture, and improve economic competitiveness.  Here is part of their quote from their findings, "In the absence of well-defined and demanding standards, education in the United States has gravitated toward de facto national minimum expectations... Consumers of education in this country have settled for far less than they should and for far less than their counterparts in other developed nations."
OK... I think I have given us enough to think through for this discussion.  Many people seem to attribute CCSS directly to Barack Obama and Arne Duncan. I wonder if they have done their research?  Why can't we just do what is best for our students?  I am so frustrated with the current state of limbo we are living through because of the upcoming elections.  It couldn't come at a more inconvenient time for our kids.  I don't believe Common Core is a cure all for anyone or any state, but I do believe if we are all moving and adjusting in the same direction, it will truly benefit all Americans.  I am an AMERICAN.  And I care deeply for our educational structure.

Your thoughts?
Sarah