Reflection response

My opinion is that one set of standards, and one set only, should be the basis of education, no matter which is in question. Even though some educators fear that curriculum standards only increase the likelihood that some teachers will only “ teach to the test”, it is my opinion that one set of standards will make things easier for educators, while multiple sets will only create more work and handicap the students. One set of standards will make less work for the students, but more work for the teacher. For example, if teaching a science class such as chemistry, how are students to learn if the class is not all in the same place? If multiple standards are in place, does that mean more than one textbook is used? What about students that will be able to work in the laboratory setting, but not others? Is that fair to everyone, or the teacher? No, it is not. To expect a teacher to have multiple standards for a classroom of sometimes 25-30 students will effectively cripple the class. Classroom lectures, especially in subjects such as science, need to have continuity and flow from one point to another to help the students understand the material. One standard will help this, while multiple standards will create disruption and confusion while multiple lectures are conducted in words that students can understand and comprehend. What are the students to do while these multiple lectures are going on? While some type of work could be assigned, the confusion in the classroom will not create an ideal learning environment, and students will inevitably fall behind. Having multiple standards will not only effectively cripple the class in terms of disruption; it will spread the teacher too thin and make the teacher unable to adequately prepare the class or students. It is hard to imagine having to create more than one lesson plan for any classroom, and by having multiple standards, at least two if not more lesson plans will need to be created. How a teacher to keep track of which student is in need of what lesson plan? Again, is this really fair to the teacher or the students? Will this help them to learn what needs to be learned? No, it will not. It is my opinion that one standard, and one standard alone, needs to be set throughout the country for students based on their grade level. It would help to avoid confusion, as well as challenge the students to work to that standard, all while keeping the continuity and flow that is required to help them in their learning.