There are A LOT, I mean A LOT of rumors and misinformation flying around out there right now in South Carolina in response to the recent Senate bill passed on May 1, 2014. This bill was passed and referred to several areas of education, specifically standards. The bill requires current state standards, which are the Common Core State Standards in Math and ELA, to be reviewed beginning on or before January 1, 2015. Historically, the review process has involved committees formed by the State Department of Education, and educators have usually been included in this process for content area expertise.
What does this mean to you and how does this impact classrooms?
I hope this clears up some of the anxiety and confusion out there.
What does this mean to you and how does this impact classrooms?
- This means that our current standards remain the standards we will teach and assess in the school year 2014-2015.
- This means that we will continue to teach the current standards which are Common Core State Standards in ELA and Math.
- This means that we will continue to use research-based best teaching practices in every classroom, everyday, for every child.
- This means that students in our schools will continue to be provided with rigorous work, relevant work, and formative feedback to move them forward.
- This means that we will continue to provide students with conceptual based instruction through problem solving and higher level thinking.
- This means the "WHAT" we teach is up for review soon
- This means the 'HOW" we teach remains research-based, best practices.
- This means it's VERY IMPORTANT for teachers, parents, and all registered voters to act responsibly and VOTE in this upcoming primary election June 10, 2014. Then in the general election again in November. Our students deserve the best to be making decisions for their education. Our teachers deserve the best to be making decisions for their livelihood.
I hope this clears up some of the anxiety and confusion out there.