For those whose lives aren’t spent working in education with educators, it’s easy to believe the hype that teachers in general are vehemently opposed to–and outraged by–the Common Core. But those of us who spend our Monday to Friday working in education, alongside fellow educators can tell you a different tale.
As a recent survey reports, “teachers are enthusiastic about the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, even as they acknowledge challenges ahead.” Teachers are sophisticated critical thinkers and can view the Common Core standards as separate from teacher evaluation and high stakes testing. Funny how the anti-ccss movement never takes the time to parse out those details. Who needs details and data when you’ve got fear and intimidation, amirite?
Here are a few data points from the summary of the extensive 214 page report of that survey of teachers:
- Overall, 73% of teachers who teach math, English language arts, science and/or social studies in Common Core states are enthusiastic about implementation in their classrooms.
- As classroom implementation of the Common Core progresses, the degree to which teachers believe the Common Core will positively impact students increases. For example, teachers who say implementation is fully complete in their school are most likely to say the standards will have a positive impact on the overall quality of education students will receive (73%, compared to 56% who say they are in the early stages of implementation and 40% who say implementation has not started).
- Teachers feel increasingly prepared to teach the Common Core (75% in 2013 vs. 59% in 2011), but want more resources, professional development and time to prepare lessons.
For those of us working with teachers and educators, this isn’t a surprise. Just a validation.
And this majority of teachers who see promise in the Common Core are tired of having a vocal minority speak for them. They’re coming out of the woodwork to speak out on why they, teachers on the front lines of implementation, working with children Monday through Friday, are excited about the opportunities that Common Core creates for children.
They are speaking out against pervasive and pernicious falsehoods that are intentionally being spread to undermine implementation by misrepresenting what the Common Core is and how it affects classrooms. One example is the idea that somehow the federal government is dictating how teachers teach. Danielle Goedel, a math teacher in Shelburne, NY, counters this lie by stating on camera, “Ultimately, it’s my decision what happens in my room, for my students.”
And to ensure that there is no wiggle room to misrepresent these teachers and educators, Dawn Fargo, a special education teacher in Belleville, NY states quite plainly, “The truth is that the Common Core State Standards are good for students.”
Watch the full video below.