Have you heard about the Common Core State Standards that are coming to our local schools? Most parents are not aware of them, yet they are being implemented in the Glendale Unified School District schools. The GUSD has been implementing it behind the scenes since 2010. Currently the Common Core is being implemented in English language, arts and math. Science and social studies are on their way.
The Common Core State Standards were adopted by the California Department of Education. This is a national, one-size-fits-all educational program to insure that all states have the same “common standards.”
Classical literature will be become limited and replaced with “informational texts” (i.e., Environmental Protection Agency reports, federal executive resolutions, etc.). Sample tests can be viewed for grades 3-8 and 11 at www.smarterbalanced.org/pilot-test/. These are the tests California has adopted.
This is a huge program that parents and taxpayers should know about as local control of the program has been eliminated. It also affects private schools as well as home schools. You can learn more about what is coming to our local schools at www.concernedparentsofthefoothills.com.