Are the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards Progressive Ideology?
A growing criticism of the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards is that its way for progressives to inject their philosophies and ideology onto children and youth in American schools. Ralph Watts, a state representative from Iowa believes this, and in his mind, the evidence is clear. Evidence of progressive philosophy can be found throughout the standards.… Read more
I am going to argue in this post that progressive values should set the ideals of teaching and learning in American society. These values are rooted in democratic ideals and citizen action. Unfortunately the cloud of authoritarianism looms over education, making it difficult to design curriculum and instruction around progressive values.
This post is a counter to the conservative world-view has taken hold of education in the U.S.… Read more
Update 3.22.2013: EmpowerEd Georgia reported that the Parent Trigger legislation in Georgia was tabled for this legislative session. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution story, the bill was pulled because it didn’t have the votes needed in the senate for passage.
Today, a committee in Georgia Senate will discuss the Parent Trigger Bill which has already passed the House. The bill will enable disgruntled parents of low performing school to fire the teaching and administrative staff and turn the school over to a for-profit charter management company paid with school district money.… Read more
Today I received a letter from Ryan Donohue, Deputy Director Advocacy Director of Parent Revolution informing that the Georgia House of Representatives passed HB 123, the “Parent & Teacher Empowerment Act.” It is actually the Parent Trigger bill that you have all heard about, especially if you saw or read about the movie Won’t Back Down. The letter I received said that this was a great first step for Georgia parents because they got a seat at the decision-making table for their children’s education. I called the local board of education, and asked if they would reserve my seat at the decision-making table!… Read more
For the past two decades there has been a drive to create a common set of standards in math and science (and English Language Arts). The enterprise is well-funded, and supported not only by the U.S. Department of Education, but by corporate and philanthropic America to the extent that the initiative is pushing ahead at an urgent speed.
The drive to set up common standards is part of “rightest” movement that Dr.… Read more
There are a lot of people in the U.S. who think that the only way you can decide whether students learn is with a test. In fact, Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida, has decided to get involved in education in Texas. Being a guru on testing, he backs the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) system, which calls for end-of-year exams in most high school courses.… Read more
Guest Post: Ed Johnson, Advocate for Quality Public Education, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Art of Teaching Science is the personal blog of Jack Hassard. I am a writer, a former high school science teacher and Professor Emeritus of Science Education, Georgia State University. The blog reflects my opinions on science education and issues related to educational reform from a progressive science and education philosophy.
