Understanding Common Core
Common Core is the new set of academic standards in math, English and language arts for kindergarten through twelfth grade. With every grade level comes a list of what the child should be expected to comprehend by the end of that year. While many parents may start sweating about the concept of Common Core standards because, in many cases, they are more rigorous than previous standards, Pearl Chang Esau, CEO of Expect More Arizona, assures us that they are designed to better prepare our kids for the ultimate goal — college and career readiness — via a focus on critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication skills.
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Why the new standards are better
She says, "Arizona teachers have been improving their teaching practices to go deeper to help their students understand concepts and apply them to real-life situations." And Arizona is not alone. Forty-five other states have also implemented Common Core standards as well because they allow for fewer yet clearer expectations for each grade level, encouraging the teacher's ability to further develop each concept in the classroom and ultimately ensuring that all the children in a classroom master a lesson before moving on to the next.
The parent's role
Esau says that reading to your child on a regular basis is the number one way you can prepare a child who has yet to enter school. Using the principles of the Common Core standards, she also advises implementing real-world applications such as talking with your kids about daily experiences and making connections between their experiences and things they read in books or see on their favorite television shows.
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Esau adds that striking up a partnership with your child's teacher to help your child is a good way to start out the school year. Ask for an ongoing assessment, as well as support materials for any skill gaps your child may be experiencing so you can help your child at home.
She suggests asking your child's teacher the following questions:
- What are the most important topics my child will be learning this year?
- Can I review an example of my child's work? Is this example satisfactory? How can it be improved?
- Is my child on track to be successful in this class? Is he or she prepared for next year, for college and a career?
- What resources are available if my child needs additional help or wants to learn more about a subject?
She notes, "A parent needs to know if a child is ahead or falling behind and challenge them accordingly. Don't wait until the end of the year. The farther your child falls behind, the more he could be at risk for having to repeat the grade."
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