Teachers comment on Common Core

Palm Coast Observer
News

The Palm Coast Observer sent an email survey to more than 100 local educators to ask about their view of the Common Core State Standards. Here's what they said:

"I appreciate that the Common Core standards require the integration of writing into all subject areas, with a heavier focus on deeper content knowledge rather than simple multiple choice assessments. Living in Florida, we have a very transient population, so with the CCSS being adopted in 45 states, that will ease the transition of students moving to and from other parts of the country. I also love that the focus is on the end result — helping students be college and career ready by graduation."
— Jimmy Menard, Imagine Town Center English language arts teacher

"I believe Common Core provides rigor and relevance for students. In Career and Technical Education, we integrate math, science and writing into real life situations. I believe Common Core gives students the opportunity to cross the curriculum and build problem solving skills needed in life."
— Wendy Vidor, Matanzas High School agriscience education instructor

"My concern about Common Core is how fast it is being forced upon us before we fully understand what it is and having teacher evaluations based on how well we implement it. I have been in education long enough to know that nothing stays very long. We always seem to be trying to reinvent the wheel."
— Rob Frederick, Old Kings Elementary School music teacher

"Common Core is raising the bar not only for teachers to teach students to greater depths of learning, but it is also holding the student accountable for their own learning through inquiry and untethered learning in an always-changing world of technology."
— Dustin Sims, Flagler Palm Coast High School assistant principal

"In the Career and Technical Education Department, I believe that Common Core would help our students. Students who take CTE courses are usually there because they like the subject. If the students as part of that curriculum can also learn/reinforce their math, language and science skills in the classes they enjoy, then it is a plus for all the stakeholders."
— Jodee Soltes, Flagler Palm Coast High School business teacher

"The Common Core State Standards are rigorous, substantive, and they are research based. We, as a district, are trying to prepare all of our students to become global digital citizens, in other words, ready for the academic and career challenges of the 21st century. Common Core standards are arranged in a way that allows teachers to teach and students to learn valid thinking skills through all content areas."
— Stacia Collier, Flagler Palm Coast High School teacher support colleague and varsity cheerleading head coach