• What can be done to change the mindset of the naysayers the author addresses in his disclaimer on p. 82?

It is the second paragraph under COMMON MISTAKES IN ALIGNING STANDARDS:

Before I go any further, let me give this disclaimer. I don’t care what state you live in—chances are that you disagree with some of the expectations that it may have related to standards. I’ll be the first to say that I believe wholeheartedly in the instincts of a classroom teacher over someone with little to no experience with instruction. That said, we live in a world of accountability. That accountability is tested according to the standards that your state has chosen. Like it or not, it is what our schools are judged by. This to me is reason enough to embrace the standards. The alternative is to ignore this accountability, risk the probability of getting terrible results, be scrutinized by your community for failing students, and shape a negative image for them about the lack of success. Doing so is an injustice to your students and yourself. (Lopez, p. 82)

Reference: Lopez, D. (2013). No excuses university: How six exceptional systems are revolutionizing our schoolshttp://outboundsso.next.ecollege.com/default/launch.ed?ssoType=CDMS&redirectUrl=https://content.ashford.edu/ssologin?bookcode=AUNEU.15.1> (2nd ed.).Turnaround Schools Publications.

Also For the Question: Can you name the standard or sub-standard that is your grade level or department’s greatest area of need? If so, how do you know?

If you are not teaching public school at this time, you may not have the teaching experience to answer the journal prompt from a first-hand teaching experience, but you can use the learning experiences of your own children as they have learned through using Common Core Standards (CCS). If you have children, I hope your children’s teachers are communicating information about the standards as they are being taught.

Preschool students do not have(CCS) at this time, so if you teach preschool, you will not have CCS to discuss. If you do not have children at home or teach public school at this time, please go to Common Core State Standards Initiative: http://www.corestandards.org and review the standards so you can answer this prompt. You can pick any grade you want and review the standards. Your children’s teacher should also communicate information about the standards as he/she is teaching them.