Setting New Standards for High School Students

In an article on September 25th, U.S. News and World Report stated that the nation’s governors and state education officials have banded together to propose a standard for all public school students. They have received help from the National Education Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers of English, the College Board, the ACT testing program and Achieve Inc., a standards reform group. The current academic standards are different in each state, but the new proposal will have all K-12 students learning the same things.

The standards will require a certain set of Math and English skills from all high school graduates. The English revisions focus on reading and writing proficiencies as well as speaking and listening abilities, including presenting information and advancing a discussion by responding with more than a yes or no. In math, students should be able to construct viable arguments, master complex problems as well as be familiar with probability and statistics. This will require the math Teacher Community to rework much of its current curriculum.

Though Applebatch promotes equal education for all, we understand that teachers will need a lot of assistance reworking their lesson plans. We also understand that some students may need more help reaching these goals. That is why it will be more important than ever to use a Teacher Network.

Applebatch.com is available to all educators and gives them an opportunity to share and upload free resources, grow their professional network and search for teaching jobs in a convenient online environment. Please join Applebatch.com and tell us what you think about this new proposal.