Common core state standards have been in effect for several years now, and I'm still not entirely sure I understand them. I mean, as guidelines for what a student should know,the standards are fine. They accurately represent what a student should know. But it seems to me that the vagueness of the standards (While necessary) keeps them from possessing any real weight. An argument for a lesson or activity could be easily defended with the most basic information and research. So how do we know our students truly benefit from common core? Without stricter standards how are we to know our students gain anything? Research will tell a lot about what a student has learned, but that information will always be at the expense of the test subjects. Besides, stricter standards would mean that the teachers and students would be less able to express creativity in their lessons and projects. The truth is, their is no perfect solution for education. Until we all recognize the needs of the individual student, we will always rely on the cookie-cutter format which will never truly meet the needs of the students.
Frankly, I hope that someday a computer program can be developed which will be perfectly tailored to the needs 0f every student. Where they can sit and learn at the correct pace and in the best way suited for them. Projects like this, on much smaller scales, are already being used for supplemental work or, in some cases, actual core class credit. But someday I hope a program will be so widespread it effectually ends the need for standards in education.
