Because Common Core State Standard testing is so new, there is some confusion about the exams. Every state that proctors these tests has its own version, which can also add to potential miscommunication between national and local news media and parents. To clear some things up, here are a few Common Core myths:
The government tells teachers what to cover
One major concern that many parents have is that they think the government dictates what educators teach. In fact, this is not true. Educators choose every aspect of their curricula and lesson plans. They do have some guidance in that the Common Core provides blueprints to explain some topics and skills that students are tested on during the exams. This way, teachers can ensure their classes have the knowledge and abilities to do well during the assessments.
Common Core doesn't value content
Many past standardized tests focused on students knowing particular content. Multiple-choice questions make up these exams. The Common Core asks students to gain a more in-depth understanding of the subjects at hand. For example, not only should they memorize history for the social studies exams, but also they also need to know why battles happened and what motivated those involved.
English language learners are held to the same standards as others
Common Core testing may be too difficult for students who are just learning English. To accommodate these individuals, an alternative version of the exams is available to English language learners. This allows them to showcase what they do know of the new language while still partaking in standardized testing. Parents can talk with their kids' teachers to learn if their students are eligible for the alternate exam.
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