To Common Core, or Not to Common Core

When I was a kid, the test that we took every year was called the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Even back then I used to wonder, 'who decided these are the basic skills, anyway?' Now a days, they often use a type of standardized assessment called MAP testing. I know it's an acronym, but the title itself is telling, since it seeks to measure if students are where they're 'supposed' to be, when they're 'supposed' to be. Call it my rebellious nature, but I tend chafe at such things.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not an anarchist, subversive, or rabble rouser (at least, not too much), but I still don't like being told what to do. And, I especially don't like being told who to be. That's what common core feels like to me. I once heard Ed Dickerson, a long-time home school advocate here in Iowa, recount this anecdote:

A woman went into a shoe store and asked for a pair of shoes for her daughter. She wasn't quite sure what size the girl was, so she told the clerk to get what he thought would fit a nine year old girl. The clerk promptly returned with a pair of neon-green shoes that was at least three sizes too big. The woman replied that his choice wasn't going to work, and that he should try again. His reply was simply that there must be something wrong with the girl, since what he got from the back room was clearly labeled, 'nine-year-old girl shoes.' 

See what I mean? I understand the need to set goals and standards. After all, how can we know we're reaching our objectives if we don't know what they are? But, I take exception to goals and standards that are so specific so as to be stifling; so line-upon-line that they are limiting. In short, I don't like being told that it is my nine-year-old girl who is flawed if she doesn't fit the educational "shoes" handed down to her from some distant group of education wonks and bean counters. (Oh, dear - did I really say that!!??)

Allow me to redeem myself, if I may, to any teachers, administrators, or others involved in public education. I am, essentially, also an education wonk and bean counter. Sure, I might hide it behind my jean jumper, A Beka books, and late wake-up time, but I am a licensed teacher. Signed, sealed, and certified. I believe in education, and (for the most part) in the methods and institutions that deliver education to the vast majority of children around the globe. I understand the need for continuity across the curriculum, gradualism from grade to grade, and standardization. I also understand that wonks and bean counters really do know what they're talking about, much of the time. (If you don't believe me, just watch the movie Moneyball.) Therein lies my conundrum.

I didn't choose to home school because I was anti-something. I don't hate public schools. I am not raging against any machine. (Except my vacuum. Right now it's not working, which has gotten me pretty upset. But, that's a different issue.) I know home schoolers who practically froth at the mouth when they speak about public education. I know public school teachers who roll their eyes derisively and genuinely feel sorry for children who are lost in the educational clutches of their ignorant parents each day. Generally the former group is about as far from common core as you can get, and the latter is its biggest cheering section. Seriously, people - why can't we all just get along? Isn't there some sort of balance that can be found?

Someday, I hope someone will create a test that really captures who a kid is. You know - it can tell whether they're ready for long division, or know the difference between a direct and indirect object pronoun. But, it will also point out that they're excellent at diving, or playing the tuba, or being a help around the house. From this marvelous test, education experts (i.e., wonks and bean counters) will be able to create a new set of standards and benchmarks, uniquely crafted for each and every student, in order to capitalize on each gift and talent. Until then, I'm afraid my skepticism of Common Core will remain. Sure, I may refer to it periodically to see if my kids are traveling in the same general direction as most other kids, but mostly I'm going to have to stick to my own common sense, and the things that are at the core of our beliefs and destinies. It may not be as exacting as the Common Core everyone is used to, but it's served us well thus far.

The Voices in My Head.

I am not a crazy lady. I promise. Sure, there are certain times (like when all three of my children had head lice and chickenpox at the same) where I probably looked, acted, and felt a bit unhinged. But, that was a passing and temporary condition. Aside from those outlying experiences, I am a perfectly rational, calm, and logical gal. Totally sane. Not crazy. I do, however, occasionally hear voices in my head.

Just yesterday, as I listened to my oldest daughter tell about the imaginative game she had watched a group of fourth-graders play (having just come back from volunteering with the after-school program at our local YMCA), I heard that old, familiar whisper in the back of my head.  

See... public school kids aren't bad.

Of course public school kids aren't bad. I never said public school kids were bad. I didn't choose to home school because I thought public schools (or public school kids) were bad. I chose to home school because I felt like home schooling provides the opportunity for an even more rich and deep educational experience. 

Sure, it provides the opportunity for that. But, is that the reality in your home schooling? Is the experience you're giving your kids as rich and deep as you want it to be? As you thought it would be? As it should be?

I... I think so. I mean, we don't get around to doing history and science everyday, if that's what you're asking. Sometimes it's all we can do to get through reading, writing, and math. Some days we don't even get to all that. To be honest, I know my kids will certainly never win any spelling or geography bees, like a lot of other home schoolers do, because we haven't emphasized those areas, I guess. Okay, because I haven't emphasized those areas. Or PE. Or music.

Wow. Sounds like there are a lot of areas you don't 'emphasize,' huh?

I guess so. I mean, one of the main reasons we wanted to home school was to build character and practice our faith. And, I think we're doing alright in those areas. Maybe. But at what cost? When I really think about it, the academic areas we don't emphasize are the areas that are harder for me, or which I don't think are terribly important, in the long run. I know I should probably do more, but there are only so many hours in the day.

Of course, maybe you could manage those hours better if you got up earlier, didn't spend so much time on the computer, didn't let your kids watch so much TV. Maybe then your kids would be smarter. 

Maybe they would. I don't know!! You think I don't have the same doubts? You think I don't run myself and the kids ragged trying to stick to a great schedule for a couple of weeks, only to fail, and then feel even worse afterward!?!  I'm only human. I know I'm not perfect. I'm doing the best I can, you know!

I know you are. Maybe that's the problem - you. Maybe you're not really cut out to be their teacher.

But, I really want to ...

Maybe you don't have the knowledge it takes to do this job.

But if I keep...

Maybe you should just put them in school - just for a semester. It would be the safest option, after all.

But...

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Sound familiar? I bet so. We, as home schooling parents, are very susceptible to conversations like these. That inner voice has been known by many names - doubt, fear, the world, the Accuser. It comes and tries to mess with my head at least a dozen times a week. (When I first started home schooling it came much more often. These days, I'm better at ignoring both it and the groans of protest my kids sometimes raise when I get out the math books. I'm much happier on both counts.)

Anyway, despite the fact that I often hear voices in my head - a criterion that is used to diagnose mental illness - I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am, indeed, playing with a full deck. As a home schooling mom, it does not mean that I am crazy that I hear these voices. What would be crazy would be to listen to them.

So, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go exercise my sanity by attempting to teach three different children, of three different ages, three different things, all at the same time. If that's not the definition of perfect mental health, I don't know what is.