The Common Core: Ignoring Education's Real Problems

Crites, Rosmely

Krashen, S.  (2014).  Ignoring Education's Real Problems.  Talking Points, 28 (1), 26-28. http://www.sdkrashen.com/content/articles/2014_krashen_the_common_core_ignoring.pdf

Summary:  Krashen discusses the Common Core Standards and challenges the notion that U.S. schools are broken.  He asserts that struggling English language learners are progressing and that the main road block to learning is child poverty.  He states that poverty and lack of access to books need to be addressed so that students can progress in learning.  Books that provide pleasure reading and listening to read alouds are helpful for students to acquire the language development in vocabulary, grammar, and writing.  Krashen also points out that continued reading in the heritage language for English language learners produces cognitive advantages.  In regards to Common Core testing, Krashen believes that the huge amount of money used for the online tests is only creating a profit for testing and technology companies, and not doing anything to help students learn.  Instead, the money should be used for food programs, health care, and libraries.

Evaluation:  This was a very insightful article that reinforces the importance of libraries and how we should create our collections.  Students need access to books in order to become successful English readers, speakers, and writers.  They also need books that they want to read.  It highlights the importance for libraries to create a collection that reflects users' needs and wants.  School libraries need to have books that students are interested in for free choice pleasure reading and not just books that support the Common Core Standards.  Libraries also need to reflect the heritage of the patrons and include books in the languages that are spoken in the local population.  As Krashen stated, it is beneficial for students to continue reading in their heritage language.