New standards open new books in Minnesota schools
Norman Draper, Star TribuneNovember 15, 2004 STANDARDS1115
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The state's new rules for what students need to know in language arts, math and arts -- plus new course credit requirements -- have brought a host of changes to many schools. More kids will have to take more math and science. More will be reciting poetry and studying Latin and Greek root words.
The new requirements are the first wave of fact-based state academic standards meant to ensure that students statewide are learning the same things. Part of the national swerve toward more knowledge-based, testable education, they are replacing the old performance-based standards that were trashed by critics as too fuzzy. At the same time, the Legislature set specific numbers of credits students must have in various subject areas before they can graduate.
A year and a half after their adoption, the new standards are introducing fresh subject matter into many Twin Cities classrooms and making schools adapt to changing graduation requirements.
These aren't revolutionary changes. Few parents have complained about the new rules. While there are costs involved, they won't be busting any school budgets. Teachers say the new standards mostly involve moving the existing pieces around, not throwing them away and making new ones.
The state requirement that students study Latin and Greek root words means many teachers have to bone up.
"I think we have some very young teachers who didn't have anything like that in their education," said Ellen Delaney, curriculum and staff development coordinator for North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale schools.
And how do teachers who are caught on the merry-go-round of changing state education requirements react?
Said North High School English department co-chair Bob Hackney:
"Whenever you have new standards come in, you make a few adjustments to satisfy people and basically teach the way you have in the past."
Norman Draper is at ndraper@startribune.com
