The Principal’s Office: Kussin’s common core

Posted Friday, April 28, 2017 4:51 pm

Steve Kussin

We’re in the middle of a series near and dear to my heart: curriculum reform. As I’ve stated several times, I’m frustrated with the haggling over the Common Core — and am offering my own version, subject by subject. So far we‘ve covered English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math. In this column, we’ll complete the core subjects by focusing on Science and World Language.

I’ll tread lightly with Science, since this was my personal tsunami. Throughout the years, I’ve shared some of my less-than-successful (an understatement!) encounters with this subject, culminating with my attempt to fulfill the requirement at Cornell with Geology, a.k.a. “Rocks for Jocks,” supposedly the easier out for the “scientifically challenged.” Well, as I explained in the past, it didn’t turn out to be an easy out for me!

Unlike the three subjects I’ve already discussed, my primary concern with Science is that high school students take a full four years. In the future I’ll talk about my primary concern about returning to the “four-by-four” (four years of each of the four core subjects). Most schools offer Earth Science, Biology (now called Living Environment), Chemistry, and Physics. The “big four” are generally taught discretely, although some schools do some interdisciplinary teaching, overlapping two of more.

In recent years, I’m finding that some schools “flip” Physics and Earth Science, since the latter is deemed more difficult. (I’ll certainly subscribe to that thinking!) Many middle schools now encourage students to begin Living Environment (or Earth Science) in the eighth grade, thereby freeing up a spot in the senior year of high school for an Advanced Placement course (offered in most subjects) or an elective.

Speaking of electives, I find that many (but not all) schools offer a wide range of Science electives to round out the four years. Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, Lab Techniques, Meteorology — just to name a very few. Forensic Science gained traction following the spate of crime dramas on television.

The icing on the cake is a course in research techniques, which culminates when students enter one of the national competitions, such as Siemens. I’m sure you’ve noted that very often the same high schools have a preponderance of winners. You can tell where their priorities are.

One final note before we leave Science: Most courses include lab periods on alternate days. A few even schedule them every day. We shouldn’t take this for granted. There are some states in which Science is taught as a single period without a lab period.

Next up: World Language, Second Language, Foreign Language and Languages Other than English. Districts call this subject a variety of names. In the master schedule-building course I teach, I always survey the participants as to what it’s called in their districts. All four of these come up. But as Shakespeare said, “What’s in a name?” Call it what you will. World Language has pulled out in front lately, with Foreign Language suddenly falling behind.

World Language has a second “identity crisis.” Is it a fifth core subject, or an elective? I firmly believe it must be a required core subject. Sadly, America is one of the few monolingual countries; few citizens are proficient in a second language. Look to the rest of the world, where people speak two or more languages. To be competitive in an increasingly global economy, we must catch up.

To that end, I am offering four proposals. First, language study must begin earlier. Fortunately, that is beginning to happen. Foreign Language for Elementary Schools is beginning to hold. Some districts are moving foreign language study down one grade at a time. A common practice is to offer a “wheel,” with several weeks devoted to each of the popular languages before students commit to concentrating on one. Spanish, French and Italian are the big three, although there are others as well.

Second (and this is another recommendation that may not win me many friends!) is to require three, preferably four years of a language with very few exceptions or exemptions. Furthermore, students must pass a written proficiency test to complete this requirement.

Third is to implement the “X” program, one of my personal favorites. Students are given the option to take a second world language in their junior or senior year. It’s a fast-paced course (two years in one) for motivated students who want to learn one of the less traditional languages. Possible offerings include Mandarin, Japanese, Urdu, Hebrew and German. For example, one school offers three of these, but on a rotating basis so every student has a chance to take any one of them.

Fourth, all schools should offer the “Latin for Word Power” elective which I’ve described several times through the years and will do so again.

Follow these four suggestions and we’ll be on our way to catching up with the rest of the world.

Dr. Steven Kussin was a high school principal for 21 years. You can hear his “CBS on Education” reports three times a day weekdays on WCBS Newsradio 880. He is also an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and an educational consultant for school districts around the country. Contact him at sk3015@aol.com.

Report an inappropriate comment

HELP SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

The worldwide pandemic has threatened many of the businesses you rely on every day, but don’t let it take away your source for local news. Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure nothing but the best in hyperlocal community journalism comes straight to you. Consider supporting the Herald with a small donation. It can be a one-time, or a monthly contribution, to help ensure we’re here through this crisis. To donate or for more information, click here.

The Principal’s Office: Kussin’s common core

HELP SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

NCAA Madness, Sweet 16 Teams Set!

How to spot nursing home abuse and fight it with Personal Injury Lawyer Phil Rizzuto

Breaking down the real meaning of these 4 contract terms with Attorney Anthony A. Nozzolillo, Esq.

Long Beach has look of contender

Impressive start for Oceanside

Lawrence softball in transition phase

Freeport navigates challenging slate