“English language arts and math were the subjects chosen for the Common Core State Standards because they are areas upon which students build skill sets which are used in other subjects. They are also the subjects most frequently assessed for accountability purposes.”It is important to notice the term “skill sets.” Some areas of learning are foundational in the sense that they teach skills more than content. Being able to communicate in English is a necessary base for success in other subjects. You must know your alphabet before you can read words. It is more than just simple reading and writing. Students quickly learn to pronounce the words and form the letters. They can read out loud and copy very well. It is not enough. They also need grammar, spelling, vocabulary and penmanship to be able to comprehend and express.
Anyone with any common sense realizes you need both. I would believe that common sense would also say that you need the seeds of content before you can produce the fruit of process. You need parts before you can build a car. You need vocabulary before you can write a paragraph. You need to know the stove is hot before you can boil water.
At a meeting I was informed the favorite analogy of the CCC gurus is that they are building the airplane while they learn to fly it. That sounds like a recipe for disaster. I would not fly on an airline that works that way. Why would you put your children in a school that buys into such nonsense?
You really need to answer that last question because it is not rhetorical. You are putting your children in a school that is buying into that nonsense. Your child’s future is the down payment.
homo unius libri
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.