This weekend I decided to pick up the new issue of “Educational Leadership,” and was pleasantly surprised to see an issue devoted to the adoption of the Common Core. As Arlington is beginning the journey to the Common Core itself, I found it especially timely. One article that particularly struck me was one by Schmidt and Burroughs. It centered on how the Common Core will boost equity for math students.
It really struck me how much power and hope is infused in the new standards. In some ways, I feel they hold new possibilities in our school by demanding more mastery of fewer standards. It also has the ability to change the way we see our classes and our students. In the article, Schmidt and Burroughs point to the standards ability to reduce tracking of students and teachers ability to cooperate and deepen their understanding as the key to “closing the gap.”
Despite the compelling evidence discussed in the article, I am still left with a lingering question framed in the article. “[If] existing state standards have had no discernible effect on student achievement, [why should we] expect the Common Core standards to have an effect either?” (page 57)
Schmidt, William and Burroughs, Nathan (2013). How the common core boosts quality and equality. Educational Leadership, 70(4) pages 54-58.
Ben Helfat 
Ben, thanks for always keeping us enlightened. Jill