To my LDS friends and Common Core State Standards critics: One thing that we as LDS people pride ourselves on is that the Gospel is the same anywhere in the world. Gospel standards are the same throughout the Church (i.e. Gospel Doctrine, For the Strength of Youth, Proclamation to the Family, Temple Recommends, Word of Wisdom, etc.). When it comes to teaching concepts to help members reach those standards, teachers and missionaries in wards and stakes all over the world use a variety of strategies to help members be able to understand and to apply what they have learned. This structure is very similar to how we are using the Common Core State Standards in Utah. They provide standards (i.e. students will be able to add two double digit numbers) that are common across the U.S. at each grade level, and then in Utah districts/schools/teachers have local control to determine the best strategies/methods/etc. (i.e. traditional algorithms, inquiry, manipulatives, etc.) to help their students understand and apply what they have learned. I find it so interesting that a structure that we accept and even pride ourselves on in one context has been so completely misunderstood and hated in another. If the CCSS is an issue for you as you vote today, please take a minute and get some facts about them that are unique to Utah before you vote. Reach out to a local educator, read the Utah Board of Education resolution concerning the adoption of the Common Core State Standards in Utah, or read the recently released CCSS report from Attorney General Sean Reyes. Happy Voting!
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:01:19 +0000
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