California is one of 45 states switching to the new federal educational benchmarks in English and math known as Common Core Standards. The changes are scheduled for the 2014-15 school year, and implementing them is expected to cost the state over $1 billion. State Superintendent Tom Torlakson kicked off a “Common Core Summer” of training for teachers, but a Gates Foundation poll last year found that 27 percent of teachers nationwide felt unprepared to teach the new standards. Also, critics say tougher standards don’t necessarily equal better outcomes, and might even create more difficulties for English Language Learner students. We discuss how the state’s Common Core Standards will affect students and schools.
Show Highlights
- More: What’s the Value of Common Core State Standards? (MindShift)
- More: Among Conservatives, Concerns Grow Over New School Standards (NPR)
- More: ‘Core’ Curriculum Puts Education Experts At Odds (NPR)
- More: Education Reform Movement Learns Lesson From Old Standards (NPR)
- More: How PBS LearningMedia Can Strengthen Students’ Media Literacy for Common Core (EdSpace)
- More: Common Core State Standards Initiative website