vision2020
Re: Levy Comments
Title: Re: Levy Comments
A few thoughts. . .
The need certainly exists to ensure that
our teachers are, in fact, "covering" curriculum as mandated
by the state and interpreted by districts and faculty. As far as
I know, MSD district personnel have stepped up efforts across the K-12
arena to align curriculum, across all content and grade levels.
However, in the past, curriculum
alignment between states has been minimal, at best. Not
to suggest that each state does not "cover" the same topics
or that they are, individually, doing a good or poor job; rather, that
the sequence may be far different, for a variety of
reasons.
The state of Idaho, like many states, is
in the process (finally!) of revising and sequencing curriculum in
light of a multitude of national curriculum development efforts, both
private (well, professional groups) and federal (e.g., science,
reading, mathematics). The resultant products are the Idaho
Achievement Standards, which are linked at the State Board of
Education website for all to view. The state is also focusing
efforts towards accurate assessment of student achievement, and (oh, I
hope!) developing assessment tools which focus on these standards
which will be addressed by all districts. I understand that
there will be significant effort put forth to help districts implement
these standards as well.
As such, it is a little misleading to compare what a student
specifically did in 6th grade mathematics in, say, Nebraska, with what
a similar-aged student might be doing in their mathematics class in,
say, Ohio. I am certainly not arguing against curricular
alignment between states, nor am I at this point, arguing for it.
As a sidebar, also consider their particular environment, as the 6th
grader in Nebraska may be in an elementary school, while the Ohio
student may be in a middle school.
In a message dated 11/12/01 7:01:36 PM,
jcdavis@uidaho.edu writes:
<< Second, Danahy claims that our schools are not effective. . .
and even
"stoops so low" (to use his words) to engage in accusations
against a very
professional group of individuals--yes, our community teachers.
You state
strong opinions, but they appear to be just that--baseless opinions,
not
positions supported by evidence. Speaking of evidence, where
is
yours? Even a shred? >>
I was surprised when a granddaughter moved to Moscow from California a
few
years ago and complained of having already covered material that she
was
being given in the Moscow Public School's classes. It took
several weeks for
local classes to catch up. I wonder if she was then behind in
California
classes when she moved back a year later?
Walter Steed
--
John Davis, Ph.D
Associate Professor,
College of Education
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844
jcdavis@uidaho.edu
208.885.7703
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