Common Core
The purpose of the common core is to establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math and English language arts from kindergarten through 12th grade. Some methods it incorporates is increased critical content It is designed to provide a way for teachers to measure student progress throughout the school year and ensure that students are on the pathway to success in their academic careers.
Support or Oppose?
We support the ideas of the common core but we oppose the implementation of it because we think that we should have started the standards with children who are entering kindergarten and continue it from there. The ideas of the common core - students being college and career ready and that all states will be on the same page - is a good way to change the educational system. Some ways it was implemented wrong was - If a kindergartner were to abide by the standards they would continue their education with no confusion but now 3rd graders are put into a situation where the standards are much harder than they are used to and struggle. Also rather than focusing on becoming better than other nations we can use the common core to help improve teaching skills and improving classroom learning once all states are on the same page educationally.
Positives in Education Now
Despite the claims made by media America has many positive things in the education system. From my experiences things such as smaller classes and extracurricular programs benefit the learning experience. Many schools also offer internship programs that let students have the opportunity to experience the field they are interested in to see if they want to pursue it as a career. Also when i was in the cosmetology program at school, they taught skills that can be applied right out of high school, it also provided me with a cosmetology license. These programs are good for those who already know what they want to do or want to try out a career before they graduate. These ideas should be included in all schools.
Increasing High School Completion Rate
The nation’s high school completion rate is currently 80%. To increase this we will put programs in schools that will help students be more prepared for their futures, like boces programs, and hopefully that will encourage students to continue school until graduation. We also agree that students should be encouraged to go to support programs that will help students with homework if they are not getting this support at home.
Standardized Testing
Standardized testing is used for comparing school or state tests averages but we think that we should not increase the amount of testing that already occurs because it puts unnecessary stress on students and teachers. We think that we should change what standardized testing is used for. In Finland they used standardized testing to assess ways to improve. If we use similar tactics we can improve the education system.
Positives and Negatives of Standardized Testing
The positives of standardized testing is that it allows parents and schools to track how students are doing. it also provides comparison. The negatives of standardized testing are that some students are not good at test taking and may not show their true abilities. It also limits what a teacher can teach because they have to base their lessons off of the standards of the test. It places stress on both the student and the teacher.
Assessing Teachers and Students
Other methods that can be used to assess teachers are student evaluations. No one spends more time with teachers than students, we can provide students with questionnaires that will include the teacher’s teaching skills, learning experience and teaching effectiveness. To avoid student’s personal feelings we will include a comment section to see why the student answered the way they did, eliminating the bias answers Methods that can assess students other than testing can include “minute papers” in which students spend 2-3 minutes at the end of class to summarize what they learned and or didn't understand. This can be collected and then reviewed to see how the students are understanding each lesson. We can also include projects such as this one that showcases how well the students understand what they are learning, it also gives students a chance to work in groups which can assess their abilities to contribute in groups and it holds individuals accountable.
Career and College Ready
To ensure that students are career ready programs such as internships and Boces programs can provide a jump-start on what they can do in the future. These programs show skills and information by doing things hands-on. it also lets students try out career ideas before they go to college. To ensure that they are college ready, classes that encourage heavier work loads are important. Reading skills and research papers will improve students abilities to do better in college Also Courses such as economics also show real-life information you can apply to everyday life.
Lowering Cost of College
Governments can partner with higher-ed institutions and the private sector to encourage testing and credentialing centers that award college credit for college-level learning in non-classroom settings. This will give students college credits without paying for certain college courses. Also Student incentive to do well in high school can be raised if they are offered scholarships for getting a certain grade point average in high school. We will also set up programs that will help students manage their debt after graduation.
Is Education "The Great Equalizer"?
I do not believe that this statement is true today in the US. Lack of funding in poverty stricken areas prevents students to have equal opportunity to education. Communities like this one have better materials; one example is every student in this school gets a textbook to take home with them and have extra at school, this gives them a chance to learn more at home, Students in poverty stricken areas don't have this chance, many schools have limitations on their materials. If we raise funding in these areas we will give everyone an opportunity at an equal education.
Why Should You Vote For Us?
Education is our main concern. We are focusing all our efforts to improve the education system in America.
Americans should trust us to improve education because we are willing to listen to other’s ideas and we are basing our ideas on personal experiences that are similar to many of the citizens of America.