In a letter to members of the National Education Association last week, President Dennis Van Roekel argues that in too many places, states and districts have “completely botched” implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
Among the standards’ greatest champions, the union is now faced with rank-and-file members’ gripes as they are implemented.
The NEA won’t oppose the standards, Mr. Van Roekel writes, but he says teachers must be given more time to grapple with them and more supports to introduce them into teaching and learning. He also says tests not aligned with the standards should no longer be given, and stakes should not be attached to new, common-core-aligned tests until 2015-16 at the earliest.
