English Language Arts Education Case Study

In response to the lack of standardization and poor academic achievement in the United States (U.S.) education system, Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were designed to create clear and consistent benchmarks to ensure that all learners, regardless of where they live, graduate with the identified 21st-Century Skills needed to succeed in a global community ("About the Standards | Common Core State Standards Initiative", 2016). According to the CCSS site (2016), as of August 2015, 42 states, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the District of Columbia, and four territories have voluntarily adopted the CCSS in English Language Arts (ELA)/literacy and mathematics. However, since the adoption of CCSS, concerns have been raised among teachers, community members, and other education leaders regarding federally mandated content, implementation, and gaps in student achievement; particularly for diverse populations (Issues in K-12 Education Case Study Document 1, 2014). CCSS has affected what and how school teach, and the arts, in particular, have been downgraded because of the reform’s focus on ‘college and career readiness’ …show more content…
The most highly affected area is art education, as established in the numerous examples provided in the researched articles. As I proposed, there should be a re-evaluation of the arts in terms of legality and its potential to improve academic and social growth for all learners. Additionally, based on my findings, I encourage an investigation of the impact the arts have on policy and practice to include a broader definition of education and learning; one that extends beyond using the arts to produce higher Math and ELA test scores. This redefinition is essential because, until art proponents learn to work with CCSS policymakers, education stakeholders, and the public, the future of arts education is in