Common Core

Things I know:

1.  Indiana, before Common Core, had changed from 3( 3rd, 8th, and 10th) annual proficiency tests to help schools and the state understand general trends to a test at every grade k-10.  

2.  We changed from not requiring algebra to graduate to needing algebra 1&2 and geometry.

3. Concepts have never been a focus of standards as much as skills in the US. 

4. Normative tests can never show mastery, which many parents confuse. All standardized tests are used to compare and rank testers 

5.  The same schools who showed they needed more assistance with three tests; show the same thing with many more tests, except all the resources are going to testing companies. 

My solution:

Put two teachers in every classroom in every school that underperforms. Not a teacher and an aide but two qualified teachers. We've known for decades that teachers make a difference. 

Why this expense? We know it works, see Finland.

What to do when everyone has something to say

Coming back from break or just have a topic that everyone wants to chime in on?  My solution is to let them all talk. But if each student gets a minute you're going to have no time left. Here's how the day started right after winter break:
Please take out a piece of paper (my students know there is always some paper in the back of the room).  Now write down three good things that happened to you over break and three not so good.  I walked around the room greeting students and welcoming them back.  When it appeared many had completed I asked those who were done to stand. Students quickly finished. All were asked to sit again to hear the rules for a standing conversation.
A standing conversation is a structured conversation. Each person states their information uninterrupted. 30 seconds you tell your 6 events,  30 seconds your partner tells theirs and then 30 seconds of conversation about the topic. I set a timer, students must have a partner with whom they haven't seen over break and who is not seated nearby.   Then we switch and do it again.
Then we're back to our seats. I ask if anyone had a story told that they think should be shared. I've walked around during the standing conversation so I prompt if needed. I don't ask the original storyteller to share because I want students to listen to each other and I didn't want to get bogged down in detail.
Now in under 10 minutes everyone has gotten to share and we are ready to start the lesson.
This method also works well for helping students justify their own opinion. Have them write first,  then discuss, lastly share out.  One of the hardest things for students is stating conclusions. Try this to begin this high level of Bloom for your self.