Pros and cons of Common Core discussed in District 13

With about three dozen parents, teachers and school officials present on Nov. 16, its was one of the largest turnouts in recent history for District 13’s annual Educational Planning meeting.

The Saturday morning meeting gives school board members and administrators the opportunity to talk about the current state of education in Valley Stream, while sharing their vision for the future. It also provides them a chance to hear from community members about the direction the district should take.

The prime topic this year was the Common Core Learning Standards, which were implemented across the state in 2012 and have drawn the ire of many parents and educators. Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund explained what the district has done to put the new curriculum in place, including the addition of more challenging reading assignments, and the expansion of writing to all subject areas.

In fourth and fifth grade, all students will be using Junior Great Books, literature that had previously been reserved for more advanced readers. Sixth-grade Greek mythology is now being studied earlier in the school year with a focus on the hero’s journey. In fifth-grade, students are analyzing the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Robb-Fund discussed the new math modules being introduced as part of Common Core. These modules, or curriculum units, are still being released and detail the mathematical skills students should have by the end of each grade level.

The superintendent added that the United States had some of the lowest math standards among industrialized nations and it is time to catch up. Children need to learn how to think mathematically as early as kindergarten, she said.

Danielle McCarren, parent of a fourth-grader at the James A. Dever School, raised some concerns about Common Core. She said some of the vocabulary and spelling words her son has to learn seem way too advanced for a 9-year-old. “That, to me, is teaching to the test,” she said.

Board of Education trustee Jeanne Greco Jacobs said in order to compete in the global economy, students need to be highly educated. “We want them to use the most intelligent words they can,” she said. “There’s a whole world out there and they’ve got to be a part of it.”

McCarren responded that she wants her son to be well educated and reach for the stars, but she also wants him to enjoy his childhood. “We don’t need to be mandated by the federal government and by big corporations how to educate our children,” she said.

School officials discussed the difference between Common Core and the corresponding state assessments. Board trustee Frank Chiachiere said he believes many parents have confused the two, and their anger over the tests is being misdirected.

Chiachiere explained that Common Core is necessary to raise student achievement and prepare them to be college and career ready. But he takes issue with the state releasing new assessments at the same time, with students being tested on topics they haven’t yet learned.

Board President Sean Douglas agreed. “The Common Core is not a bad thing,” he said. “Kids can learn whatever. These standards are going to be here to stay.”

Robb-Fund explained that whenever new standards take effect, scores on the first set of tests afterwards are lower. Last year’s passing rates throughout Valley Stream were typically in the 30 and 40 percent range, far below the 70, 80 and even 90 percent rates that had been enjoyed for years.

With a year of Common Core behind them, Robb-Fund said she expects scores will improve going forward. She stressed the importance of having common national standards to ensure that students receive the same education no matter what state they live in.

Douglas added that he understands why there has been resistance to the changes locally, because people see it as fixing a system that wasn’t broken. “Overall,” he said, “Long Island school districts have always been adequate, if not excellent, exemplary.”

Moving forward, Robb-Fund said that some changes to the science and social studies curriculums could be coming. In science, that state is considering adding an engineering component, and Robb-Fund said District 13 will pilot some new programs in the spring.

She noted that a goal in District 13, and all the Valley Stream elementary districts, is to enhance the science curriculum so all students take the Living Environment Regents exam in eighth grade.

Robb-Fund talked about the importance of maintaining vibrant art, music and character education programs. “In Valley Stream 13, we teach everything,” she said. “We have a very robust and well-rounded curriculum.”

Douglas said Educational Planning is the first step toward developing the 2014-15 budget. Next up will be the annual facilities tour on Dec. 7.