4 ms·

High-quality open-source text books covering the Common Core Material would be an incredible "force for good"...

• nissimk 12y ago
  I agree, but not just textbooks, also lesson plans and workbooks. The problem is that if Pearson makes the test and the test results are the most important metric for teachers and administrations, then they are compelled to use the materials from Pearson because they will be more effective at teaching to the test. I'm opposed to extensive standardized testing, but if it is mandated, then it should be written and administered by a government agency, not a private company.
• click170 12y ago
  My concern with that is that we could end up with a situation where the curriculum or textbook content is decided by the uneducated masses. Eg what happens if creationists figure out that all they have to do is gang up on contributing to the open source textbook to have their "theory" taught as equal in public schools despite the quality and quantity of their supporting evidence. IMO these things should be decided by certified smart people in a transparent manner where anyone can call their decision making into question. Who is a certified smart person is another issue. Maybe restrict it to top performing teachers and professors, or some other way or excluding those who would seek to sabotoge the process.
• secabeen 12y ago
  They exist already: http://www.ck12.org/blog/ http://www.ck12.org/blog/