Common Core=Common Learning Pace

The Common Core’s one-size-fits-all mentality extends to more than just the content and curriculum, it includes students’ pace of learning. While working in a seventh grade classroom, a substitute teacher took photos of signs displayed on the wall which encourage a philosophy of  equality, not of race or gender, but of talent and effort. One would expect to see signs like these on the wall of a company breakroom where employees are working together towards the same goal, but not in a classroom where children are suppose to be striving to reach their own unique potential.

Translation: The collective thought is superior to the individual thought- no exceptions.

Let’s be honest, there’s always a few kids who are smarter than the group and they should be acknowledged. What value does dismissing the individual’s intellect in favor of the group’s serve? In a competitive global environment, the individual genius is something this country can’t afford to dismiss.

To cement this ill-formed idea into classroom practices, the teacher also posted this sign:

Translation: No one shines. No one fails.

Remember, no one is smarter than anyone else. Naturally, everyone must work at the same pace which will be set by the slowest learner.  Obviously, enforcing a one-size-fits-all pace takes a concerted effort- one that includes students monitoring other students’ work pace.  Do parents want their child to be charged with the task of making sure no one is working ahead and no one is left behind? Most parents believe their child to be solely responsible for their own learning, not regulating other’s.

By enforcing all children to learn the same Common Core curriculum at the same slow rate will ultimately create students who, despite their individual intellect, will be the same. This unfortunate result won’t be because students are equally smart, but equally under-educated.