political science 3 parts in 15hrs

What Would You Do? Should States Adopt the Common Core National Education Standards?

INSTRUCTIONS: In this activity, you assume the role of secretary of education who has received a memo regarding the Common Core national curriculum standards. You will review arguments for and against the Common Core, decide whether or not you support a bill mandating that states adopt them and then provide a written explanation of your decision.

INTRODUCTION: To: Secretary of Education Lucy Sadie

From: White House Special Assistant Talya Ili

Subject: National curricular standards for elementary and secondary schools

There has been a large debate in recent years about whether states should adopt the Common Core Educational Standards. The Common Core standards seek to set uniform national benchmarks for student achievement in every grade level in English/language arts and mathematics. The goal is to help students be prepared for college and the workforce in the 21st century.

The president is making a push for national standards, and the major arguments for and against this proposal follow. Will you present the initiative and address states’ concerns at the National Governors Association meeting next week?

 

To Consider:

The president seeks a national curriculum for all kindergarten through grade 12 schoolchildren. Supporters argue that such standards will prepare students for the jobs of the 21st century, but opponents argue that federally mandated standards will do more harm than good.

Review the Arguments: 

Review the arguments for and against the adoption of national curriculum standards and then take a stand either for or against states adopting them. After casting your vote, you will be asked to explain your decision:

Arguments for:

1. American jobs in the 21st century will require advanced skills in literacy, mathematics, and information technology that all schools must teach.

2. Variations in state curriculum standards leave students ill-prepared for high-paying jobs and for college.

3. If the national government does not invest in creating a uniform school curriculum now, then increased funding will be needed for remedial instruction later.

Arguments against:

1. States are better able to determine educational standards that will prepare their diverse populations for the workforce than the federal government.

2. Imposing a national curriculum will stifle state and local creativity in education and will be so basic that it will make little difference in college preparation.

3. The national government has a history of imposing educational mandates on states with insufficient funding, and governors are skeptical of receiving sufficient funding to successfully implement a national curriculum for students with varying needs.

Additional Research: 

The following links present the arguments for and against the adoption of curriculum standards. Choose at least one link for each side of the argument and make sure to read through the entire text. Once you have enough information, move onto the next part of the activity.

Arguments in Favor of the Common Core: 

http://neatoday.org/2013/05/10/six-ways-the-common-core-is-good-for-students-2/

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/374112/why-i-support-common-core-standards-bob-riley

Arguments Against the Common Core: 

http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2014/10/one-more-reason-states-should-reject-common-core

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/sarahjeanseman/2014/09/02/the-case-against-common-core-n1885963

Will you support or oppose the bill supporting the adoption of national curriculum standards? Why?