Is Common Core Good for Palos Verdes?

Or will it harm our excellent education?

1.   Does Palos Verdes need this change?  What problems and/or deficiencies in PV education do you think Common Core will fix? What has been done in the past to address these problems? Will Common Core do more harm than good?

2.   Curriculum: How will Common Core substantially change the class content - current vs. future? What classics/reading texts will be replaced by the federal reading list? Will the standardized tests require that we change our reading lists? Who makes this decision?

3.  Technology: We do not want to trade teachers for technology. How many hours a day will students be required to use iPads for learning? Will teachers be using class time to instruct students in the use of iPads and computer applications? Is that ideal?

4.   Testing: Common Core curriculum and teaching methods were not field tested prior to implementation? Two thirds of New York State students failed the Common Core standardized tests in June. Is this the path that PV Unified wants to follow?

5.  Personal Data: Federal guidelines state that students and family personal data will be stored at the national level via computer. What questions will be asked and stored? Is PV required to complete these data sheets? Can these personal data be sold?

6.  Costs: What it is the cost to supply iPads for the 11,000+ students in PV? What are the software, tech support staff, teacher training, substitutes and added ongoing Administration costs? Will parents be increasingly asked to supply and pay for equipment? What programs will be eliminated due to the burden of these costs?