In California, law requires teachers to stay in the curriculum 80% of the time. Curriculum is usually the state approved, district adopted text. As each state currently operates under their own set of standards, and textbook/curriculum publishers often  "reverse engineer" textbooks so they can sell the same basic text in many diferent markets (the "too many cook" syndrom), can we trace student performance to a curriculum that is 1) framed by state standards that are often in and of themselves disjointed and lack a cohesive flow, 2) beholden to too many incompatable standards, and 3) is creating a dynamic that results in lessons that are, by and large, isolated, disjointed, and factoid presenting, "rolodex card" making snippets of information?  Is it possible that the very act of teachers doing what they are expected to do by  teaching from the the curricular text books, the natural outcome is a body of students that are flummoxed by experiences that apparently do not support sense making and authentic learning in the minds of children?

Our country is falling behind.  No doubt about it.  As an elementary teacher, I feel that some of our curriculum standards are high-level and rigorous.  Others - not so much.  But one HUGE factor in getting into deeper level thinking is how students come to school in their very first year.  The state of NH does not require Kindergarten, but most families choose to send their children to K.  However, many, many chidren are coming not knowing alphabets or having heard many stories.  Early literacy skills need to start BEFORE children arrive to school.  When they have little/no skills, it sets the elementary teachers WAY back.  Many kids are falling short of accessing the rigorous curriculum because energies are spent trying to get "caught up".  Yes, the standards need to be tweaked and good teaching practicies need to be reviewed constantly, but parents need to step up and do their part to give their children a decent start.

I would have to say the answer is no.  The reason why students are struggling is due to the fact that students are not practicing their skills outside of the classroom.  In addition, students aren't reading at the optimal level that they should be.  Overall, disrespect and overal apathy has taken root in the educational system.  At this point fundamental changes need to be applied to society in order to restore the luster and respect in the educational system.

 Partly.  The CCSD in Las Vegas changes the curriculum every year.  Kindergarten is not mandatory; I strongly believe it should be required and changed to full day.  Many children don't receive early education skills at home; therefore, mandatory kindergarten will give all children a foundation for first grade.  School attendance should be reinforced by truancy officers, and parents should be held responsible. Another reason kids struggle is a major part of teaching time has been replaced with testing.  If testing is to be heavily judged on student improvement and the status of "good teachers," then the ONLY way to fairly administer these tests are with testing proctors.  Teachers must not be administering these tests in the classrooms., because they will be judged on results.  They cannot and will not be objective!!!  One last comment, our report cards are now 5 pages long. Each and every objective is listed and requires a grade.  Think of the paper that is being used throughout the District, and probably most parents don't read or understand the details of these report cards.  I'm sorry to say that I am now going to retire from the job that I loved with all my heart.  I couldn't wait to go to work, and was happy to put in extra hours to make sure I was prepared and extremely competent to be the best teacher I could be; however, the District I work for has replaced the quality of education with statistics, test scores, and a lack of respect for educators as professionals. We have a voice, but I'm sad to say it falls on deaf ears.  I hope it is not like this in other areas of the country; however, I don't know what goes on in other school Districts.

 I doubt that a specific curriculum is to blame for poor student performance, but the trend I've seen in education is that standards are dropping in order for schools to show higher performance rates. Schools are so eager to make themsleves look good that children are passed along without truly mastering skills, so they struggle more and more the farther they go. Often I feel we have too many safety nets in place for students. sometimes failure is the best lesson they can learn - it would jar their motivation if they understood that there was no alternate path to success. 

Hi everyone,

For nearly five years, I have worked on a solution that will likely help kids learn and enjoy math.  Just recently, I have started posting the results of my work, on my KidFriendlyMath.com web site.  I will offer a 50+ storybook math curriculum, along with graphic-rich, and story character based video, and all reinforced with a suite of software designed to make math fun and meaningful for children!  Kindly check it out please as there will be many free-to-view stories and videos.  I hope to save millions of kids from the anguish of a traditional math education!  Thanks much.

Sincerely,

Mark Bieber

Hi everyone,

For nearly five years, I have worked on a solution that will likely help kids learn and enjoy math.  Just recently, I have started posting the results of my work, on my KidFriendlyMath.com web site.  I will offer a 50+ storybook math curriculum, along with graphic-rich, and story character based video, and all reinforced with a suite of software designed to make math fun and meaningful for children!  Kindly check it out please as there will be many free-to-view stories and videos.  I hope to save millions of kids from the anguish of a traditional math education! 
Sincerely,

Mark Bieber

Students DON'T struggle .... ever!  If students were actually presented with challenges and expected to DO something, they might learn.  The books, the technology, the school house, the teacher, the parent, its all SECONDARY!  All that matters is what the students DO, in our school students spend about 5 minutes out of the day actually engaged in some academic pursuit and the rest of the time posturing, texting, socializing, playing, or simply staring blankly into space.