Download Thomas Newkirk's postscript chapter for Holding On To Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones

Speaking Back to the Common Core

So much of the current conversation in education is related to the Common Core State Standards—most of it on how to accommodate and implement them. In his new chapter for Holding On to Good Ideas in a Time of Bade Ones, Thomas Newkirk attempts to pierce the "aura of inevitability" that has been woven around the CCSS. He identifies nine concerns that should be more openly discussed:

conflicting interests in their creation
misdiagnosing the key problems in reading
setting developmentally inappropriate targets
promoting a sterile view of reading
underplaying the role of narrative
giving extraordinary power to standardized tests
providing a bonanza of commercial products
dictating instruction as well as standards
drowning out other conversations.

In Speaking Back to the Common Core, Thomas Newkirk reminds teachers of their own authority, and their professional responsibility to "speak back" if this reform undermines good teaching.

First Name*

Enter a valid first name (3-50 characters, letters and spaces only).

Last Name*

Enter a valid last name (3-50 characters, letters and spaces only).

Email Address*

Please enter a valid email address.

Grade Level*

Please select a value.

Country*

Please select a country.

Checking this box indicates that you accept Heinemann’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy*

Please choose anyone of the above options.

Heinemann is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you request from us. From time to time, we would like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you. If you consent to us contacting you for this purpose, please tick below:

I agree to receive communications from Heinemann

Please choose anyone of the above options.

I'd like to receive the Heinemann newsletter, which features a variety of resources to inspire new ideas, provide meaningful teaching support, and help to navigate remote and in classroom environments.

I have viewed and agree to the GDPR Privacy Policy.*

Please check this to continue.

HMH and its affiliates have my permission to use information about our relationship for the purpose of improving HMH's and its affiliates' products and services.

Please select one to continue.

I want to receive news, events, offers, or promotions related to HMH's and its affiliates' products and services.

Please select one to continue.

I want to be contacted to discuss purchasing HMH's and its affiliates' products and services.

Please select one to continue.