The Oregonian article, "Teachers in Oregon, elsewhere feel unready for new, higher standards," covers the issue of the new Common Core State Standards set for what to teach in reading, writing, and math. It brings up many points but doesn't really cover some basic issues and facts.

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2013/05/teachers_in_oregon...

1. Changing Oregon education is sloooow.

Funnix Beginning Reading and Funnix 2 is 220 complete lessons taking children from beginning non-readers to reading at a beginning third grade level.The Funnix reading program can be used with kids 4 or 5 years old through second graders who are having trouble. It can be used by teachers with small groups of kids, or by a parent or tutor. The program is designed so that someone who can read is with the child as the child goes through the program.

1. Have separate practice and timed (test) sessions
2. Teach only 2 to 4 new items/skills at one time. "Slice back" so that student is successful before adding more items to master.
3. Items/skills set are cumulative
4. Teach new items/skills only after previous items are mastered to 100% accuracy (or close to)

"'The State of State Science Standards,' a Thomas B. Fordham Institute report, ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia with grades on an A to F scale. California and Washington, D.C., received the only two A's."

"The report identifies four areas where science standards are flawed... Science educators, curriculum developers and standard writers have focused excessive attention on "inquiry-based learning" — attempting to help students learn through "discovery" instead of direct instruction of specific content."