Educational Standards—Caveat Emptor

Civic Education in West Virginia: Guidelines and State Standards in a Case Study

“…While the community may offer feedback on standards, these individuals would need to be civically active and engaged. The reality is that the community is generally removed from this process (Orlich, 2011). Officials are elected and thus primarily concerned with their careers and not upsetting the electorate or compromising their jobs.…”

“…Textbooks are prepared by companies who want to make a profit, and thus write material in ways that do not lend themselves to questioning society's status quo or to being construed as controversial. Some argue that standards are shaped by people who have little interest in challenging society and primarily seek to perpetuate common societal norms (Orlich, 2011). This continuity of reform ideology began with A Nation At Risk and continues to this day.…”

“…However, Altoff (2008) argues that these documents tend to emphasize the knowledge domain of cognition, which is antithetical to meaningful civic education. Orlich (2011) contends that beyond this they are authoritarian in design and fail to take into account the student as an individual.…”

Acquisition of mathematical vocabulary using constant time delay with individuals with moderate and severe disabilities.

“…with the final draft coming in June 2010 (CCSI, 2011). These standards convey the skills needed in order for individuals to be considered literate in the twenty-first century (CCSI, 2011), and to ensure that all students in every state are prepared for college and work (Orlich, 2011;& Phillips & Wong, 2010 The creation of the CCS was based on knowledge needed for future college and work (CCSI, 2011). The standards are intended to build on current state standards and are meant to be "fewer, clearer, and higher" (Phillips & Wong, 2010, p. 38).…”