The K-12 curriculum in STEM fields

Educational standards are the learning goals for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level (National Governors Association, 2010). I am comparing standards for mathematical practice and ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education, n.d.).  both are standards, clearly defined learning goals for what should be known and taught at each level. The focus for both is to transfer the skills to thrive in work and life. Hence, I can say that ‘clear goals’ and ‘focus on skills’ are the two converging points.

 When I compare and contrast, I discover some interesting differences, some of which are listed below.

1. Common core (CCSS) is rather new, 2010 while ISTE is an old organisation, 1979. I place a premium on depth that comes from experience and ISTE stands out for the same.
2. CCSS is focused on establishing minimum standards in language and maths acquisition for school kids and are defined grade wise. ISTE has as its focus technology integration in schools. CCSS has subjects as the focus while ISTE has STEM integration as its focus.
3. The one I found most interesting is CCSS has students as the focus while ISTE has standards for students, educators and educators of educators. In that way I found ISTE much more interesting as it focuses on teacher development also in a way that is very specific. While CCSS also gives best practices, the focus is on the subject and not the subject teacher.

 In my community, STEM does not have much of a role as yet. It is here and there. Individual efforts are driving it but as a community it is not reality. However, if we leave the T of STEM out, then the skills that are built using STEM are in action, albeit without knowing the names. I am not sure how many teachers that are practicing critical thinking are aware of the same. They work intuitively and not by a standard.

 Despite obvious differences, CCSS and ISTE appear to converge on one thing. They keep the focus on building the global skill of problem solving as the core of the program.  As all good teachers provide frequent opportunities for students to engage in logical arguments … and work from a curriculum linked to meaningful problems (successfulstemeducation.org, n.d.), both the programs provide space for the same in their respective areas.

 References

1. Community for Advancing Discovery Research in Education (n.d.). Improving STEM Curriculum and Instruction: Engaging Students and Raising Standards.  https://successfulstemeducation.org/resources/improving-stem-curriculum-and-instruction-engaging-students-and-raising-standards
2. International Society for Technology in Education (n.d.). ISTE Standards. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards
3. National Governors Association (2010). Standards for Mathematical Practice. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/