Compared to its developed counterparts, the US lags behind with regards to the delivery of quality education. Its students perform poorly and the system fails to adequately prepare them for the challenges of higher education and the workplace. As part of efforts to improve the effectiveness of the education system, various interventions have been adopted. The Common Core standards are among these interventions. If implemented faithfully, these standards promise to transform the American K-12 education system.
Using Standards to Improve Instruction
The purpose of the Common Core standards is to impart such skills as analytical, critical thinking and problem solving into students (“Common Core State”, n.d). It is believed that when incorporated into teaching, these standards can serve as levers for improving instruction. The standards enhance instruction in a number of ways. One, the standards are evidence-based. This means that it has been proven that they have a positive impact on education. Two, these standards were developed after extensive consultations with key stakeholders (“Common Core State”, n.d). Therefore, the standards account for the concerns of the stakeholders and combine their input to direct instruction towards the path of improvement. Three, the Common Core standards are based on international benchmarks (“Common Core State”, n.d). The implication of this is that the standards benefit from international best practices which can be adopted to enhance instruction.
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The logic model is among the tools that can be used to enhance the impact of the Common Core standards. Essentially, the logic model describes the relationship between inputs, resources, outputs and resources. It allows one to understand the resources, activities and inputs that are required to obtain particular outcomes. The Common Core standards mirror the logic model. These standards identify the specific resources, measures and strategies that should be implemented to result in improved student performance and readiness for college. For instance, for grade 1 students, one of the standards that should be adopted seeks to improve reading. To achieve this, among the strategies that should be adopted involves challenging the students to ask questions and providing them with illustrations through which they derive meaning (“Common Core State”, n.d). This example shows that the Common Core standards enable teachers and other stakeholders to determine the resources and inputs needed to achieve certain goals.
Challenges in Implementing Standards
There are a number of challenges that schools are likely to encounter as they implement the Common Core standards. Among the main challenges include the fact that the mere fact that they have led to improved student performance does not mean that there has been a growth in the quality of instruction (Loveless, 2012). Another challenge that could hamper the implementation of the standards involves the fact that previous standards have failed to yield improvements in student performance (Loveless, 2012). The two challenges mean that questions can be raised about whether the Common Core standards have any meaningful impact on student achievement. If it is found that the standards do not present much benefit, schools may be reluctant to incorporate the standards into instruction.
The challenges identified above can be addressed through the implementation of various interventions. Accompanying the standards with laws and policies that require schools to implement them is among the most promising solutions (Loveless, 2012). On their own, the standards have a limited impact. However, when supplemented by other policies which are also aimed at improving instruction, the Common Core standards can have a tremendous effect on learning. Consultation and debate among stakeholders are yet another solution that should be adopted to address the challenges (Loveless, 2012). Teachers should combine their resources and effort with parents, administrators and policy makers to find ways of strengthening the common core standards and address the concerns that have been raised regarding the failure of previous interventions.
Measuring Success
As noted earlier, the primary purpose of the Common Core standards is to prepare students for college. To determine if this purpose has been fulfilled, a number of measures of success can be used. The high school graduation rate is among these measures. If the Common Core standards results in an increase in the graduation rate, it will be concluded that they have been successful. Performance in tests is another measure that could be employed. Improved performance will suggest success. These measures allow for success or failure to be determined because they relate directly to the aims of the Common Core standards. In closing, there is no doubt that the Common Core standards hold the key to solving some of the gravest challenges that ail the American education system. Therefore, to improve learning, teachers and other stakeholders should be relentless in their adoption of these standards.
References
Common core state standards for English language arts & literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects. (n.d). Common Core State Standards Initiative. Retrieved April 9, 2019 from http://www.corestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/ELA_Standards1.pdf
Loveless, T. (2012). How well are American students learning? Brown Center Report on American Education, 3 (1), 1-32.
