Lesson+9+Assignment

Lesson 9 Assignment - Ohio Core: Not Your Parent's High School Curriculum
Read the article, "Ohio Core: Not Your Parent's High School Curriculum. Consider an example or a component of the content and post your reaction / thoughts below.

I think that the new Ohio Core will improve the overall quality of education. It will measure the minimum of what students will be expected to know to help prepare them for success in the 21st Century workforce. Everyone will be and should be held accountable-administrators, teachers, and parents. Teaching will be student-centered with the focus on outcomes. Students must adapt and become more technologically savvy. Teachers must also adapt to be able to handle this kind of teaching so that they will be able to facilitate it. Teachers and administrators must keep up their professional development. This class was a valuable first step in the right direction. Linda Mansfield

I think the component that stands out to me in the level of math that one needs to be competitive, or understand the machinery of today. With the coomputer chips in most everything we use, it seems that you must have an understanding of math and some definate computer sense. My children use what they know in both of these areas much more that I do, and Im an educator!!!. Language is another area that I can see as a strong influence on today's society. When a lot of America is bilingual, and most of the world in\s communicating with the internet, the ability to be and effective writer and speaker is paramount. Karen Banks-Carlisle

I agree with the posts. We need to prepare our students for their life, whatever lies ahead. Most of our students are low SES and do not know how to manage finances and are at risk healtwise, unless we can educate them. We need to implement more life skills as we prepare for college. We can do both but we have to get out of the paper and pencil only method. Angel W.

Everyones comments are right up my alley!! I feel very passionately about the need for a regular health class. We know that low SES puts our students and their families at risk for increased illness and disease, and yet our students (and perhaps their parents) have not been educated about them. Leaving them without information about all parts of their growing, changing bodies leaves them at risk for misinformation -- and misinformation can lead to actions that have life-changing consequences. Sharon B.

I agree with one of the earlier posts, that we need to be realistic. Not all students (no matter what community we teach in) will go to college. Even if 100% of our students go to college, we still need to teach them life skills to survive day-to-day life. For example, our students need to know how to keep a checkbook. Whether or not you go to college, no matter how wealthy you are, you need to know how to manage your money. We all know that our students need to know more than how to write, add, and subtract before we send them out into the world...but are we teaching them everything they need to know? I think our students need to learn how to run a household, learn to be financially responsible, learn about proper nutrition and exercise, and learn how to be a good, contributing member of society. Ashley Cain

I agree that technology has gone mainstream. Not only do parents not realize that education must change to keep up--I think that schools also do not realize that education must change to keep up. If not for this course, I would also not be informed about 21st Century Skills or realize the challenges ahead. By the time some schools get even a little of the technology mentioned, it will be obsolete. Teachers will have to be even more tech savvy to input and interpret data. Students will have to use their tech skills to help problem-solve. I think the increase in the lab-based science units will help prepare them for some of these challenges. Diana Zidian

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I believe it is important to include Financial Literacy into instruction. This would provide students with some real life knowledge that they can take into the real world. The article illustrates how students will have choices and beheld accountable for their education, which I think is great. It is a little alarming to see the Health Class is not a high priority since our society is fighting many health issues pertaining to eating disorders and obesity. ======

Teri L.
Our curriculum always needs to change in order to prepare students for what they will do or need in the future. I recently listened to a report on NPR on how Marketing is changing in response to all the action on Facebook. Every time we agree or disagree with a wall posting/etc. our response is shot to a data bank and we go on a list that pertains directly to the comment we liked or disagreed with. Knowing this impacts on how we would respond, on future advertising, etc. When we couple the basic knowledge of the Ohio Core Requirements with the implementation of Problem Based Learning we are providing our students with the skill needed to understand the impact of Facebook on our ways of life and how what we learn is needed in our everyday/real world connections. While I agree with equal sharing between the core content areas (I think we need more science and social studies), I was also glad to see the inclusion of the fine arts as I do not want to lose the chance for some of students to be creative through the fine arts. Gail West

I think we should be glad that we do not have "Not Your Parent's High School Curriculum" because at least now we no longer can graduate students who do not know how to read and have to pass tthe specific required tests. My main concern is that we want everyone prepared to go to college but is this realistic? We must prepare students for the everyday happenings that could be found in the financial literacy course and courses that would prepare a person how to cope and stay in college, trying to find a job, being successful on a job, and never stop striving to obtain what you want. Sally Porter I think having more Math and Lab based Science classes is a great idea. I think it is also a great idea to incorporate a Financial class. This would really help students undertand how the world works and how important it is to manage money. Amanda Berger [|ekovacik] I think that it is great that the Ohio Department of Education created nine in-depth Web pages that explain the Ohio Core, provide answers to frequently asked questions, and give guidance to schools and districts about what courses should be offered, but parents, students, teachers, and school administrators need to use this information. Everyone needs to be aware of what is expected of our students not only in high school but all of the way down. A couple of years ago, I helped administer the seventh grade Math OAT test. I was amazed of what this grade level was expected to know. It was stuff that I learned in my third year of high school. In second grade Math our focus is still on teaching addition and subtraction with regrouping. How can our primary grades still teach the same concepts and our middle school grades are expected to expand their concepts so much? Our curriculum needs to be revamped all the way down. Preschool needs to be required. Parents cannot have the final say in deciding if their child should pass or not. The problems that I see in schools are that students do not come to school prepared. They don't know their basic skills. When teachers want to retain students because they are not prepared to go on to the next level but parents don't approve so students are pushed on. Teachers above the primary level are expected to have their students master so much more these days. Our students are coming in at a lower level and teachers are suppose to bring them up to even a higher level than they needed to do before.

I am a little torn about my opinion on the new Ohio Core. It seems wonderful to incorporate more technology into education and to require advanced courses in many areas, such as science. However, the skill building will need to begin in kindergarten. I'd like to see the plan that begins preparing elementary school children for this rigorous curriculum. One cannot expect students to come into 9th-grade prepared to be successful without a well-rounded, highly developed skill set that began in kindergarten. I am also concerned about the lack of credits required for several subjects. Only requiring our students to take one-half unit of essential history courses, health classes, and physical education will have terrible consequences. Haven't we all heard that "history repeats itself"??? Do we really want our students to have a basic and limited knowledge of healthy living?? I would hope that the state of Ohio would want more of it's youth. Rachel Sonego

Only one-half unit of American History? One-half unit of Government? I firmly believe if students had a more firm grasp of our history and how it has affected the growth and change of our country, they would be a little more receptive to the differences and diversities in their own classrooms. Kimberly McGee

// I like the way you related your comment to the diversities in your classroom! gary shorter //

I have many thoughts on this. I am having a hard time with it. So, we only have a half unit of Physical education? I am not a phys ed teacher but really, I was exposed to those sports only in gym. I liked the fact that I knew how to play the sports and the physical activity was important. I am also concerned that Social Studies section has decreased. Hopefully, the middle school requirements will focus on the history side of education. The students are not as prepared for real life if they have learned from the past. We need to teach them about the content. They might be prepared to work on computer, but, if in 40 years they do not know what happened on Black Tuesday or what 9/11 really means whom have we really failed? Finally, I am glad to see that there will be a focus on Economics and financial literacy. I never understood why Economics was only 1 semster. I am also glad to see that Science is taking a strong lead. It is important for our students to synthesize the content. Trena Foringer

I am all for ﻿the addition of Financial Literacy credit towards a high school diploma. I feel that this touches on real world issues/problems that one faces in our economy and should be addressed and taught in school. I wish we would encourage more physical education into the curriculum because it is proven that movement stimulates the body and the mind. I also like the fact that they are encouraging a performing art; which helps build creativity. Shannon Boros

I support the inclusion of Financial Literacy instruction. I feel the subject has been greatly neglected by the current content standards. If students are to leave high school ready to enter the job market or college, this is ﻿a crucial skill. Financial Literacy was highlighted by the third real world algebraic problem involving the best choice in mortgages. I think I could have greatly benefited from that class as a young person functioning independently in the real world. I also found it interesting that they are lessening the requirements in Physical education at a time when our nation is dealing with health issues from obesity on a huge scale. I never took a fine art class in high school because of the demands of the college prep course plan and would have greatly enjoyed the fact that they are beginning to value the arts again. Amy Damavandi

I am glad to see that there is a focus on Financial Literacy. I think this is a very important course especially with our economy today. Quite frankly I am shocked to see the lack of requirements in physical education when obesity is so prevelant in our society. I am also shocked that there is so little history! We learn from the past, so we do not repeat it! Allison Underation

Financial Literacy included in the curriculum is a wonderful idea. America is so far in debt now and if we do not teach our children any different then they will also end up in that same debt if not worse. As for the idea of only ½ a credit of Physical Education is not good. The children are getting away from play and into technology. Although technology is wonderful we still need to allow the children to keep active and taking away Physical Education will not help that goal. Aubrey Richards

I truly believe that this is a step in the right direction with high schools. I see that students need more skills in the future that they lack now. How to budget and pay bills. Physical Education is one year long because it only counts a quarter. I think that is not bad, because you can take it as an elective. We need students who have skills to take them beyond high school and into the working world. Higher level math is very important. I read an article the other day our countries last boom in education of science and math was after World War 2 to fight the cold war. Now we are almost last among all nations. We have to have people in the future who can develop new technologies in thie country not taking it from others. Steve Voegele

I feel that a change in the types of classes we offer to older students is a definate plus. I do not feel that taking basic math, science, social studies, and english classes in high school prepare students to enter the real world as knowledgeable adults. Encorporating real world information and experiences into the classroom will help our students feel more prepared when they graduate high school. With the enconomy the way it is today many families can not afford for their students to go to college, so if we better prepare our students for the real world while they are in high school they will be able to enter the workforce with more knowledge and more confidence. Johanna Coppock

I think that changing the standards and holding students more accountable for thier future is a step in the right direction. The requirements of a high school diploma should be set to prepare students for higher education and pursuing a life long career. Due to many budget cuts, there are current school districts that require the bare minimum of high school students due to a lack of staffing and money. That is a diservice to the students, whether they realize it right now or not. By setting the standard high, students can work towards a greater education and are more likely to be better prepared for the demands of our society. Gillian Roth

I am really happy to see the inclusion of some financial courses for these kids. A lot of students may know they don't have money for bills, but that is the extent of it. They need to know how to manage a budget and practice it. I was never given that opportunity in school. I support the idea of the increase in Math and Science. I believe these are the two areas that will best incorporate the open ended questions, but I don't agree on lowering the requirements for Social Studies and gym. Some of the sports I played only in gym, and would know nothing about them had I not taken the course and on top of that, our school offered a physical conditioning class instead of gym if we wanted. I was really happy about that because after so many years of playing football and being tested on it you need a change. I learned a lot about weights and calories etc. that I wouldn't have known otherwise.

Christina Clason

This relatively short, easy to read article said a mouthful! There are a number of aspects to comment on, but one that student out to me was realizing how technology has in many ways made the world smaller. Year ago, people found jobs and careers where they worked with people just like them, who needed the same basic skills they had – kind of like a cookie-cutter. Nowadays, it’s nothing to place a call and hear a voice from another country or culture respond to your request for assistance. This article pointed out the importance of our students being technologically, advanced enough to keep up with demands worldwide, that also includes working with co-workers from various “cultures, countries and continents.” I believe the core curriculum outlined in the article will address SOME of the main requirements students need to have the best chance at competing globally, but you can also see that more and more jobs and careers will require BAs and Master’s degrees. G. Joy Beasley

I was really glad to see that financial literacy is now included in requirements for education. I believe that many students who are getting ready for the real word, whether college or the workforce, will benefit from this. I know for myself, I had a father who taught me financial responsibility at a young age, but not every child has a parent to teach them the life-skills needed to survive. Also, I agree with having students learn more math and science skills because technology keeps changing and students need to be prepared for the change. However, why lower the requirements on social studies and gym? I believe students would benefit from an increase ALL AROUND and not just in math and science. Richelle Short

I am certain this article is an eye opener for many educators, parents, and students. It provides many of the requirements for the academic and global success for our country in the 21st century. I strongly feel there are areas that are still lacking, such as the little requirements in our own history, yet numerous requirements for foreign language studies. This will create extravigant changes for many school districts that currently do not have adequate funding for what is currently in place. I wonder how these high school requirements will be funded. Stephanie Groscost

I believe that changing to the Ohio Core Standards is a step in the right directions. As stated in the article "education that was sufficient for parents isn't what today's students need." Our world is developing at such an alarming rate it is only common sense that the standards should be adapted to our world today. I believe it to be true that parents do not realize that our education needs to change and can not be like it was years ago, or else our students will never make it in today's world. That is why I believe that the creation of the website that explain the change is crucial information that parents should know! I also believe the new 'Ohio Core' holds students to higher standards at an earlier age and when they get to high school they are pushing further than we have asked them to in previous years. Jessica Vale-Stanford

Our students are competing in a global economy and they need the training to succeed in the future. The Ohio Core standards were developed to serve as a guide for our students in high school so they can become competitive as they start their own future and move forward. However, as our students are changing so should the face of education. This is not our parents curriculum anymore. We need to provide our students with the current trends in education and research those that may need to be implemented soon. Carly Polder

This does not at first glance seem to be a huge change. Most of the course requirements seem close to where they were when I graduated high school in 2004. But, as you dig deeper into the higher level math courses and inquiry-based science labs, the changes become clearer. Personally, I think that the fine arts should count for even more than they do under the Ohio Core. But, the wording in this article implies that the long-term goal is to incorporate the fine arts into the standards more. With NCLB extinct, it is good to see some legislation that shows that there is still a need for the fine arts in our schools. While I realize that quoting a movie isn't as formal in this setting, I feel this quote from the title role in Mr. Holland's Opus sums up the need for fine arts in school. "Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about." - Kevin Fancher

I think it is important for our students to be exposed to new technology to enhance their educational learning. Parents need to be aware of the changing technology and how technological advancement can effect the education of their child. I just hope that with the advancement of our students’ education and the new advancing technology, that Ohio school districts will be able to afford the new technology that will be incorporated with the curriculum standards. Tina Bennington

I am also torn about what they have proposed for the new standards for Ohio. First of all, I am all for having more technology education in schools. I think a lot of the jobs of the future, we don't even know about yet, and students are going to need to be prepared for the technology that is to come. Also, I think it is a great idea to have some Financial Education for students. Obviously, that is a critical need! However, 1/2 credit of American History? 1/2 credit of Government? I think if we want to help students become good citizens after school we need to have more of an emphasis in that area. Also, I think there should be at least one Fine Arts requirement. It is important for students to look at those areas as well. -Meg Story

Looking back to when I was in high school 5 short years ago, there are already some major changes. I like the idea of having 4 years of math, as opposed to the 3 years when I went. I also really like the idea of having Economics and Financial Literacy. This was an elective option when I was in high school, but I am glad that it is becoming mandatory. Students need to learn how to work with money and learn about the economy. It was nice to see that electives are not being taken out of the core curriculum. This is when students get to have a choice of what they want to learn-maybe relating to something that they want to do inthe future as a career and be creative. But, I do think that there are some things wrong with the new curriculum as well. 1/2 unit of health and gym is not enough. Students need to learn about their bodies and what is takes to be healthy just as much as science and history. It is going to be hard to fit everything in, but I am glad to see that some changes are being made. Emily Volk

I agree with the article in many ways. I like the emphasis on financial and economic math. I feel that these classes would prepare students with basic life skills preparing them for the real world. However, I do think there should be more of a focus on our own history. The world is changing, and with it so should our Core standards. Our parents cannot expect the same standards and outcomes of their children when they are living in a world that has changed so drastically. Brittany Petz

I'm completely bothered by these "new" core standards and they irritate me. Where are the arts? Where are the choices? Fine arts have been around since THE BEGINNING of time. Not all children learn the same way and as a FINE ARTS teacher, I believe I can teach a student any skill through the study of music. Any music teacher, art teacher, and pe teacher will tell you the same thing. I learn by experience, like majority of our students. They need a well-rounded education to not only become prepared for a job, but also to be prepared to be a good human. Jenny KaneI