James Pellegrino, a member of the technical advisory board for Smarter Balanced (SBAC) and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) finally admitted what we have said all along, SBAC and PARCC (or any national assessment) will guide curriculum and classroom instruction. Teachers not tests should guide student learning. This […]
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What about Common Core and College?
Minding the Campus has an excellent analysis of the academic impact of Common Core on higher education written by Peter Wood. Wood is president of the National Association of Scholars. Here’s an excerpt, What the Common Core will do to college. “The Common Core’s standards amount to an assault on the college curriculum. That’s because […]
Momentum is building against the Common Core and that has some people very nervous and worried, especially in an election year. Via Politico, Tea party activists have been waging war for months against the Common Core academic standards. Now, in a coordinated show of muscle, Big Business is fighting back — and notching wins. […]
Eight grade students attending Novi Middle school were asked to write an essay on whether they would rather be a slave or a factory worker. The majority chose a slave. 7 Action News talked to Kaya James, a student at the school. Kaya told 7 Action News her teacher asked the class a question […]
Dr. Sandra Stotsky, an expert on ELA Standards and a former member of the CCSSI validation committee explains how states and school districts can opt-out of Common Core. Here’s a key excerpt. On the national level, If a state received RttT money and spent it, it most likely doesn’t have to pay it back if […]
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Conference Call TODAY at 10 AM
We will be hosting a conference call Wednesday March 12, 2014 at 10 AM to answer your questions on Common Core and Smarter Balanced Assessments, College Board, and ACT, Inc., that are being aligned to meet the Common Core. There will be a brief Powerpoint and then time for Q and A. Link for Powerpoint […]
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SAT, ACT and College Readiness
Many people believe that the ACT and the College Board are independent organizations working to adapt to the Common Core. That is not true. ACT, Inc. and College Board were both partners with Achieve in the development of the Common Core. Additionally, lead architect of the Common Core, David Coleman, currently serves as President of […]
College Board announced a redesign of the SAT. ACT has been revising their tests to accommodate the Common Core. Both College Board and ACT, Inc. were partners in the development of Common Core. Smarter Balanced Interim field assessments are coming up in Michigan and around the country. Why all the changes? What does it all […]
Michigan lawmakers are considering a pass/fail reading retention policy for 3rd grade students through House Bill HB 5111 Sponsored by Rep. Amanda Price. Sec. 1280f. (1) Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, if a pupil enrolled in grade 3 in a school district or public school academy does not achieve a score of at least […]
Education historian Diane Ravitch delivered a phenomenal speech in January and provided the key details on the Common Core. The Washington Post published her speech under the headline “Everything you need to know about the Common Core” . The entire speech is a must read for anyone who needs a quick primer on the Common […]