If you didn’t see this earlier in the week, Supt. Hopson took a bold stand in the face of continued intransigence on the part of our state elected officials round common core by declaring “we’re ready!” In his own words on Tuesday night in front of the school board:
“If you are geared up to do something and people say, ‘let’s pause’: Pause and do what? … I understand all the politics around the Common Core, but we’re ready”
“[Pulling back now] particularly when the rest of the country is overwhelmingly in favor, it takes our kids in Shelby County and puts them at a disadvantage. With some of the achievement rates we have, that’s the last thing we want to do is put our kids at a disadvantage.”
He’s not just blowing smoke. Since last September, SCS teachers have completed over 34,000 training modules on the new standards, reports Jane Roberts in the Commercial Appeal. Supt. Hopson stated that if the state does vote to delay common core implementation state wide that he may seek a waiver.
Kudos to Supt. Hopson for standing up for our kids and doing the right thing to ensure we hold them to a high standard and secure their future.
Nashville_Native
March 22, 2014
I’m sorry, I really must press the issue of evidence and the need thereof that I mentioned in my response to Mr. Winn’s argument. I see little more than platitudes and conjecture in support of Common Core that is tantamount to saying “This is the way we’re going, why slow down now?” I say slow down because the addendum to the present bill does not stop the standards and assessments, only delays them to ensure proper training and implementation. There is a real lack of strong, scientifically tested evidence for the success of these standards. With the current state of legislative affairs, I believe it is incumbent upon the strident supporters of CCSS’s rollout to provide something that carries substance and scientific weight; more than just the talking points I’ve seen.
bluffcityed
March 22, 2014
My evidence is what I see in my classroom every day as I work to implement these standards. I see kids learning and being pushed to new heights of thought. I also contrast this to the old standards for math which were literally “plug and chug” so thats my evidence. No, there is no research yet because they have not been implemented. BUT I can give you mounds of evidence about how our current standards are failing our kids and not resulting in the outcomes we want for them. My experience with the new standards plus the evidence from the old standards leads me to support the common core as a way forward.
Nashville_Native
March 22, 2014
Also, I think it important to note that Mr. Hopson holds a law degree and is not properly educated on the theory and practice of education. I wouldn’t readily accept the opinion of Linda Darling-Hammond on issues of liability and contracts, I’m not sure why we’re giving an ear to Mr. Hopson on CCSS. Of course, the same argument can be made for the plethora of lawyers dictating the direction of education.