Expanding Academic Proficiencies by eliminating Common Core Program Standards

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Secondary School

Major

Political Science

Minor

Law

Institution

Northern Kentucky University

KY House District #

67

KY Senate District #

24

Department

Political Science

Abstract

Expanding Academic Proficiencies by eliminating Common Core Program Standards

Mary Jo Wedding

Dr. Michael Baranowski, Northern Kentucky University, Political Science Dept.

In an attempt to increase academic proficiencies, officials have eliminated various educational opportunities previously offered to K-12 students, such as skilled technical training, life skills and cooperative opportunities from their course options, in favor of a nationalized driven curriculum defined as the “Common Core Program Standards”. Academic subjects such as History, Civics and Science are taught on a level far below that of Language Arts and Mathematics, thus resulting in a society where the citizenry has limited knowledge of technology, culture, history and civic responsibility.

For those students who do not pursue a career that requires a college education, work-based learning studies could prepare them to establish work ethics and proceed directly into the workforce. Statistics have proven that while the push for college preparedness has helped to increase high school graduation rates, it has had no impact on college completion rates or an increase in ACT test scores. Statistics have shown that as much as 33 percent of young adults either go to work at low-level, low paying jobs following high school graduation or do not work at all. There are many jobs that are unfilled across the nation due to a lack of skilled personnel, thus creating a strong case for high school reforms that recognize the value-added benefits of work-based learning, apprenticeships and other market strategies.

Through academic proficiency data analysis, opinion polls, academic research and independent board of education interviews with board members from the highest rated school districts in the country, this empirical research shows that by implementing a broader approach to youth educational platforms, educators will have a more substantial impact on the development of a better workforce that empowers all types of students, those that wish to enter the workforce directly and those that wish to continue onto higher education programs.

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Expanding Academic Proficiencies by eliminating Common Core Program Standards

Expanding Academic Proficiencies by eliminating Common Core Program Standards

Mary Jo Wedding

Dr. Michael Baranowski, Northern Kentucky University, Political Science Dept.

In an attempt to increase academic proficiencies, officials have eliminated various educational opportunities previously offered to K-12 students, such as skilled technical training, life skills and cooperative opportunities from their course options, in favor of a nationalized driven curriculum defined as the “Common Core Program Standards”. Academic subjects such as History, Civics and Science are taught on a level far below that of Language Arts and Mathematics, thus resulting in a society where the citizenry has limited knowledge of technology, culture, history and civic responsibility.

For those students who do not pursue a career that requires a college education, work-based learning studies could prepare them to establish work ethics and proceed directly into the workforce. Statistics have proven that while the push for college preparedness has helped to increase high school graduation rates, it has had no impact on college completion rates or an increase in ACT test scores. Statistics have shown that as much as 33 percent of young adults either go to work at low-level, low paying jobs following high school graduation or do not work at all. There are many jobs that are unfilled across the nation due to a lack of skilled personnel, thus creating a strong case for high school reforms that recognize the value-added benefits of work-based learning, apprenticeships and other market strategies.

Through academic proficiency data analysis, opinion polls, academic research and independent board of education interviews with board members from the highest rated school districts in the country, this empirical research shows that by implementing a broader approach to youth educational platforms, educators will have a more substantial impact on the development of a better workforce that empowers all types of students, those that wish to enter the workforce directly and those that wish to continue onto higher education programs.