Common Sense 07/15/2009
 
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Common Sense was published anonymously by Thomas Paine in January 1776. The purpose for this small pamphlet was to encourage change and to urge the American people to form their own government.



The purpose of this article is to offer some common sense advice which will impact K-12 education in any country. 

IN the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense; and have no other preliminaries to settle with the reader (Paine, 1776).

Education:
  • Students don't care how much we know until they know how much we
    care.

  • A guaranteed and viable curriculum is a critical factor to educational
    success.

  • Each student adds value to the classroom and to the school.

  • Character education makes the world a better place.

  • A focus on learning is more important than 'coverage' of standards.

  • Curriculum alignment should not be optional.

  • Closing achievement gaps is ethical and possible.

  • Differentiated instruction is good for all students.

  • Instruction which builds on prior knowledge increases student
    understanding.

  • Opportunity to learn has a greater impact on student achievement than
    the written curriculum.
*  Many different researchers have noted the items above and have
    described how student achievement increases when one or more of the
    processes or viewpoints are implemented.  For example, Marzano (2003)
    shared, the number one factor impacting student achievement is a
    guaranteed and viable curriculum (p. 22).  “Standards alone cannot
    change these realities.  Instead, successful change occurs when all
    aspects of the local curriculum are linked to standards through a
    purposeful, coherent system of process and products” (Carr & Harris,
    2001, p. 1). Wiggins and McTighe (2007) wrote, “Schooling at its best
    reflects a purposeful arrangement of parts and details, organized with
    deliberate intention, for achieving the kinds of learning we seek” (p. 9). 

         Please feel free to share your Common Sense recommendations
                                      for K-12 education.

References:

Carr, J.E., & Harris, D.E. (2001). Succeeding with Standards: 
      Linking Curriculum, Assessment, and Action Planning.
      Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum
      Development.  

Marzano, R.J. (2003). What working in schools: Translating
      research into action.  Alexandria, VA: Association for
      Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Paine, T. Common sense (1776). The Library of Congress.
      Retrieved July 14, 2009, from 
         http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm028.html

Wiggins, G. & McTighe, G., (2007) Schooling by design.
     Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum
     Development. 
 


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