The Common Core State Standards and the Previous NYS Standards Case Study: What Can We Learn About the Math and ELA Common Core State Standards and the Previous NYS Standards through Lessons Conducted with One Child?

Abstract

This paper examines research concerning the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the previous NYS Standards. The authors of the different articles presented in this literature review Main (2011), Wurman & Wilson (2012), Liebtag (2013), Conley (2014), and McLaughlin & Overturf (2012), take different stances as to whether or not the Common Core is beneficial for our students or detrimental to our students as they progress through school. The ultimate goal of the CCSS is for students to be college and career ready. This paper explores the English Language Arts (ELA) and Math Common Core State Standards and previous NYS Standards through lessons conducted with a fourth-grade child. After conducting the case study, the findings were that neither set of standards provide the level of challenge the child needs; both sets of standards need to allow more time for creativity and hands-on learning opportunities; the child preferred the previous NYS Standard math lessons I created over the Common Core math lessons; and lastly, in contrast, the child preferred the Common Core ELA lessons versus the previous NYS ELA lessons I created.