Debating The Common Core

25:32

February 27, 2014

Third-grade teacher Sherry Frangia, left, high-fives student Jayla Hopkins during a math lesson at Silver Lake Elementary School in Middletown, Del. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Silver Lake has begun implementing the national Common Core State Standards for academics. (AP)

Conversation about the Common Core standards has been one of the most divisive in education for the last couple of years. The term is thrown around in most education circles, but the question for many might remain, what exactly is the common core. How will it affect teachers and students?

Well, about eight percent of Massachusetts students will be affected by it next month when PARCC field testing begins — PARCC is one of the testing organizations associated with the Common Core standards.

Some states have rejected the test, saying it will limit local educator autonomy.

Guests

Kay Merseth, senior lecturer on education at the Havard Graduate School of Education.

Darren Burris, math teacher and instructional coach at the Boston Collegiate Charter School in Dorchester

This segment aired on February 27, 2014.