Afterschool Embraces the Common Core

By CynDee Zandes

This article is written by a member of our expert blogging community.

With new Common Core standards rolling out, educators everywhere are preparing for change. As the education reform conversation continues, how does afterschool fit in?

In an article published in the Bakersfield California on Sunday, July 22, 2012, staff writer Jorge Barrientos stated, “Teachers and school administrators across the county…are gearing up for massive changes in the classroom designed to improve math and English instruction.” He attributes this to the “new Common Core Standards [which] strive to make students critical thinkers, not just memorizers.” In other words, the Common Core will authentically focus on educating young people and preparing them for the 21st century workplace.

What is the purpose of education?

This post was written by C4K Senior Consultant, Aleah Rosario. 

This question agitates scholars, teachers, statesmen, every group, in fact, of thoughtful men and women," Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in the 1930 article, "Good Citizenship: The Purpose of Education," in Pictorial Review. While its answer may never be completely agreed upon by all, the question itself is a good reminder of the potential impact we have as educators in the lives of young people - after and out-of-school included. To showcase how the purpose of education has evolved over time, ASCD recently created this infographic: