OXFORD – Regardless of how parents in the area feel about the new Common Core Curriculum standards, they’re here to stay. In light of Monday’s nationwide “Keep Your Child Home From School” protest, which had a mixed participation throughout Chenango County schools, some area districts held forums to answer questions and field concerns from parents and residents.
Sherburne-Earlville and Oxford Academy Central (OACSD) ranked among the highest in the county in participation of parent and student protest, which involved keeping children home for the day or alternatively, wearing red clothing to school. Nearly twice the usual absences were reported in the two districts, although school administrators could not identify if absences were directly related to the protest.
About 80 concerned parents of the OACSD students gathered at the Oxford Academy Middle School auditorium to present their case to administrators and teachers on Monday.
Staff took the opportunity to ease speculations and assure parents that the students’ livelihood and academic success is their main objective.
“We as parents and educators want to help these kids. We want them to become independent and successful,” said OACSD Superintendent Dr. David Richards.
A total 45 states have adopted common core standards and New York was the second to implement them. Parents and teachers alike agreed that New York State may have acted too hastily.
“A lot of complaints about the Common Core amongst parents and the community at large – and you see it in the paper – was with the communication and the implementation, the speed at which it happened. We implemented it way too fast,” Richards said.
Faculty explained that “the skills that colleges, universities and employers of the future are looking for are completely different than was expected by graduating seniors ten years ago.”
The two modules that have been implemented in New York State thus far are Math and English Language Arts (ELA). The main objectives in ELA standards – or “shifts” – focus greatly on evidence-based reading of non fiction materials as well as increasing academic vocabulary. Students will learn about the world by reading more challenging materials closely, and will be expected to write and discuss non fiction.
The mathematics portions of the Common Core focus more on proportional relationships and ratios than have been emphasized in the past. Students will be taught to develop both speed and accuracy in problem solving, discuss how they came to their answer and how it can be implemented in the real world.
Many parents relayed their frustrations of not being able to assist their children with homework because of their lack of knowledge. They also expressed concern regarding the idea that some teachers are still unfamiliar with the new style of teaching and that the situation causes undue emotional stress to the children.
“Tell your children that it's okay not to know; as long as they've tried and they've been diligent in school. It's a starting point and we have to start from somewhere,” said Richards. “It's a process and a procedure, and it's going to take time; but we're going to support them the whole way.”
One parent said, “As a parent, I was completely unprepared and I would like to stay informed on changes to the curriculum and how they effect my child ... I suggest we hold forums throughout the year so that us parents can continue to address issues that may come up in the future.”
Richards said, “Let’s get through the holiday and the new year, and we'll schedule another meeting like this one. We can even spilt it up to meet the needs of the individual schools be it high school, middle school or elementary. In the meantime, if your child has an issue with the curriculum, send a note to their teacher. I promise that we will continue to do the very best that we can in addressing these problems as they arise.”