Taking ACTION to Impact Learning

“Never mistake motion for action.” Ernest Hemingway

I started hearing about "common college- and career-ready standards" in 2000.  Since I entered the profession in 1980, I'd seen my fair share of adoptions.  I was hopeful in 2010 when I saw the first drafts of these standards which were IMMEDIATELY adopted by Kentucky.  Deep review provided evidence that these standards,  which outline the minimum content required for all students before graduating, lived up to their hype and truly were "fewer, deeper standards."  They provided a thoughtful continuum of content and skills across grade levels that wove in rich literary experience and practice.

The standards resonated with teachers who knew that if students were to truly master the "mile high and inch deep" standards, their K-12 education would need to become K-20.

At professional learning opportunities, more than one teacher would whisper and nod, "This is what GOOD teachers have ALWAYS done."

It is now 2014.  Four years and two adoption cycles later legislation has been introduced to make Missouri the second state to reject Common Core.  Work groups will be formed to develop standards for English language arts, math, science, and history.  Each work group would have 16 members, 8 selected by legislative leaders, 5 selected by educational groups and the state board, and 1 selected by the governor, commissioner of education and lieutenant governor.  Four of the members must be parents. These standards must be in place by the 2016-17 school year.

More money and countless hours will be spent making these "Missouri's standards."  
Will the standards be better?  Maybe...maybe not.  Certainly lots of folks will be busy "working for kids."

In classrooms across the state, though, teachers and students will still be reading, analyzing and responding to text.  Students will still be preparing to compete with a workforce outside of Springfield, outside of Missouri, and outside the United States.  

Funds that could have provided increased supports for our most struggling students will be tied up in binders and committee reports.  Motion, but not much ACTION that impacts learning.