Weekly Reading and Discussion #7

Media and media literacy activities, such as the one discussed in the text book, support the common core because they specifically address the standards put forth by the common core.  Media and media literacy projects provide experience with all three key shifts that occurred in the ELA content area.  First of all, these types of projects give students more experience with complex texts and academic language.  Students read and listen to/view many resources and hear language based around the subject.  In the case of the text, the students explore texts about Martin Luther King, Jr.

These projects allow students to gather information from reliable sources and use this information to back up their work, therefore citing literary and informational texts rather than just their own experiences and opinions. 

Finally, these projects give students the opportunity to build their knowledge base by providing them with content-rich media sources to learn from.  Students who partake in these projects learn from them because of their interaction with many types of media.

I like the idea of the common core.  It makes sense that a student should be able to attend school anywhere and be on the same page as other students at his or her level.  I like that the common core provides standards that link all states and schools.

My concern is that I don’t really understand the common core.  I was searching for other media text and found so much negativity directed toward the common core.  The biggest theme I found is that people are alleging that the federal government drives the common core, despite the fact that it is implemented on the state level.  The facts and myths page debunks this information, but many people seem to think it’s a lie, and that the government is still behind it all.  Many people seem to be upset with the change in math standards.  I saw lots of anecdotes on the internet regarding the way the common core has changed how students learn math.  I read comments that the common core insists on teaching students ways to do math that are labor intensive and cumbersome. 

I realize this is a highly politicized topic that is full of political rhetoric and fear-mongering.  I do not understand where all the naysayers are getting their facts.  I also do not understand why so many of these naysayers commonly cite the fact that teachers are rejecting the common core.  I haven’t heard any teachers I know complain about it.

What it comes down to is this: I am on the fence.  Until I have my own experience with the common core, I am going to remain a skeptic.  I found a media source from a media outlet that I know I can trust: NPR.  This article is another fact sheet that dispels myths, and after reading it I can have an answer to those people who are blaming the common core for changing how their children learn math. 

Deconstruction:

Who produced the document and for what purpose?

The article was produced by NPR, and is for the purpose of education readers on the truth behind the common core and the gripes that have come with it.

When was this produced and what is the historical context?

The article was produced in May, 2014.  This is around the time that states were adopting/rejecting the common core.  It was newly introduced and thus surrounded by controversy fueled by a lack of information.

Who is the target audience?

NPR is one of the more objective news sources around, but it is still followed by a majority of liberal-type thinkers.  NPR writes articles to address facts, and usually does not interject political stance or opinion into factual text.  Therefore, I want to say the audience for this article is everyone who cares to learn unbiased information about the common core.  However, many people will try to make the connection of the Bill Gates Foundation (which NPR debunked in a different article).  The Bill Gates foundation provides huge amounts of funding for NPR, and was also part of developing the common core.  NPR addresses this by saying that although they receive funding from the BGF that does not influence their reporting.

What are the messages communicated?

The article seems to examine the truth versus myth of the common core.  The main message is that there are lots of myths circulating about the common core, and many people are judging this program based on rumor and speculation.

What are the techniques used to attract and hold attention?

The FAQ style of the article attracts attention by boldly stating the myths and debunking them.  The article contains a photograph of a popular comedian, Louis C.K., because he publicly criticized the common core after helping his own children with math problems.  The use of a celebrity automatically draws attention to the article.

How might different people interpret this message differently?

Because the common core has become so politicized, this message can be easily interpreted differently depending on how the reader identifies politically.  Conservatives may think that because NPR produced the article, it is liberal BS.  However, it is my understanding that, next to Al Jazeera, NPR is about as objective as they come in terms of media sources in the US.  People who are already against the common core may read this and feel it is false or influenced by political or monetary gain.

Who might benefit from (or be harmed by) this message?

Those in support of the common core may benefit from this message.  People who are misled about the common core should also benefit.  This message might harm those who want to push the agenda of “thought control” with the common core, because it clearly debunks that theory.  Those working hard to make the transition to common core work may also benefit from the support of this message.

What information or perspective is left out of this message?

It seems there is a perspective of both for and against that is represented in this article.  The article directly cites the gripes that Louis C.K. had with the common core (via Twitter), thus representing the side of those who are unhappy or confused about the program.  The article itself serves to explain the purpose of the common core, and therefore represents the perspective of those in support of the program.

Is this an accurate and credible representation?

The sources check out.  The reporting is accurate and definitely credible.  Sources are provided, as well as other supplemental information to help convey the message.

How does this reflect the perspective or bias of the creator?

This article seems to show a little bit of bias toward the common core, but this may only be due to the fact that people have come up with some colorful theories to bring it down.  Stating the facts seems pro-common core when you read all the negativity and rumors out there.