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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2013 • NASHVILLE COMMON CORE STANDARDS Cities gamble with pensions Borrowing has backfired in some cases across the U.S.

By Duane W. Gang The Tennessean

Despite what finance experts say is a signifi- Teacher Cicely Woodard says she’s a “fan” of the Common Core. Students in her class at Rose Park Magnet Middle School cant risk, cities across the nation continue to bor- work on problems in groups to figure out solutions together. BARBARA KANTROWITZ / THE HECHINGER REPORT row money to bolster their employee retirement accounts. Nashville was the latest to consider such a move, but May- METRO’S or Karl Dean’s administration PLAN withdrew the proposal Saturday in the wake of intense criticism. Nashville’s HEY, KIDS, WHAT’S The city had considered borrow- pension plan, ing $200 million to help reduce a by the numbers: nearly $400 million unfunded li- $2.58 ability in its pension plan. Critics say borrowing money billion to invest in pension funds is a big Accrued liability THE BIG IDEA? risk and point to cities where pension bond deals turned disas- $2.19 COMMON Students expected to not just trous and helped contribute to billion major financial difficulties, in- Accrued value CORE give right answer, but explain it cluding municipal bankruptcy. of assets AT A Stockton, Calif., is one of the GLANCE most high-profile examples. $395.6 By Barbara Kantrowitz The city borrowed money to million » New standards The Hechinger Report shore up its retirement fund, for math and Unfunded only to see millions in invest- liability English Cicely Woodard has the daunting task of help- ment losses. » Adopted by 45 Source: Metro ing eighth-graders understand and even enjoy Pension funds took a beating Nashville, as of states and the math. Five days a week, she leads her students at in the stock market during the June 30, 2012 District of Co- Nashville’s Rose Park Magnet Middle School recession, and combined with lumbia through the intricacies of graphs, formulas and increasing numbers of retirees » Testing begins equations. It’s knowledge she knows they’ll need —and in some cases extra benefits given during in 2014-15 to get into college. boom years — have seen their unfunded liabil- school year Even on tough days, she says, “There’s nothing ities grow. in the world I would rather be doing.” That’s the difference between how much mon- INSIDE Woodard thinks her mission became a little ey a pension fund has compared to its ability to easier this school year because of the Common meet current obligations and future promises to » Do standards Core, a set of education standards that has been employees. help struggling adopted by Tennessee, along with 44 other states The Common Core encourages math students To reduce that gap, cities from coast to coast kids? Teacher and the District of Columbia. to write about problems rather than just turn in have borrowed money. But issuing what are says yes. On 4A “I am definitely a fan,” said Woodard, 35, who arow of numbers. JAE S. LEE / FILE / THE TENNESSEAN called pension obligation bonds carries signifi- » Teachers must has been teaching for 11 years. cant risk, and finance experts warn cities not to juggle old tests, “I am so excited by the thinking and the learn- Visit Tennessean.com/education enter into the deals lightly. The Chicago-based new standards. for school profiles and more. Government Finance Officers Association has is- On 4A » STANDARDS, 4A » PENSIONS, 7A House balks; Senate takes over last big effort by House Repub- While a day of secret meet- Budget impasse licans abruptly collapsed. ings and frenzied maneuvering continues as Aides to both Senate Majority unfolded in all corners of the Leader Harry Reid and the Re- Capitol, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, deadline looms publican leader, Mitch McCon- D-Md., stood on the Senate floor nell, expressed revived opti- at midafternoon and declared, By David Espo mism about chances for a swift “We are 33 hours away from be- Associated Press agreement. coming a deadbeat nation, not As hours ticked down toward paying its bills to its own people WASHINGTON — Time grow- aTreasury deadline, the likeliest and other creditors.” ing desperately short, Senate compromise included renewed In New York, the stock mar- leaders took command of efforts authority for the Treasury to ket dropped and the Fitch rating to avert a Treasury default and borrow through early February agency warned that it was re- House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, walks away from the end the partial government and the government to reopen at microphone during a news conference Tuesday after a House GOP shutdown Tuesday night after a least until mid-January. » BUDGET, 3A meeting on Capitol Hill. EVAN VUCCI/AP

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SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS Standards help TCAP FOR FOURTH GRADE In one season a basketball struggling kids, team had a total of three hundred seventy thousand, nine hundred thirty people too, teacher says attend its games. How is this number written in standard form? By Barbara Kantrowitz lations started, she asked a. 379,003 The Hechinger Report her students if they col- b. 370,930 lect anything. c. 37,930 When Cicely Woodard “Stadium cups,” one d. 37,093 was growing up in Mem- student answered. (B is the correct answer) phis, math class was fair- “Model sports cars,” ly straightforward. “My said another. COMMON CORE FOR teachers got up there and “Money,” said a boy FOURTH GRADE they lectured and we took who got Woodard and the Three classes at Lakeview notes, and we practiced rest of the class laughing. School are going on a field and then the next day, we Woodard read the trip. The table shows the came back and did it all problem aloud and then number of people in each over again,” she said. asked how long it would class, including the teacher. Perhaps because of take both cousins to have This school year, schools will still use the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program Total that rote instruction, Woo- the same number of tests, which weren’t designed to reflect material in the Common Core. FILE / GANNETT Mrs. Ruiz’s class 23 dard says she wasn’t a stamps. The students had TENNESSEE Mr. Yang’s class 25 great math student. “It to provide more than one Mrs. Evans’ class 24 was very challenging for approach for arriving at me,” she said. “I studied a the answer. They can choose to use buses, lot.” She gave them a min- vans, and cars. Buses have 20 Ultimately, Woodard ute for “private think Teachers to juggle old seats, vans have 16 seats and did well enough to major time” before they broke cars have 5 seats. in mathematical sciences into groups, using small Which three combinations at the University of Mem- handheld whiteboards for can be used to take all three phis before earning a their computations. tests, new standards classes on the field trip? master’s degree in educa- Woodard walked from » 1bus & 4 vans tion from Vanderbilt Uni- group to group, checking By Barbara Kantrowitz in the classroom. Many of —in this case 19, includ- » 3 vans & 11 cars versity. on progress and gently The Hechinger Report those changes have been ing Tennessee. » 1bus, 1van & 6 cars Now an eighth-grade guiding students. They good ones, she says, but Tennessee was a found- » 1bus & 8 cars math teacher at Rose explained their strategies Tennessee has been at she’s worried that the ing member of PARCC, » 2 buses, 3 vans & 4 cars Park Magnet Middle for solving the problem the epicenter of national TCAP will test concepts and officials say the state (Correct answer: 1bus & 4 School in Nashville, Woo- and sometimes suggested education reform efforts not in the Common Core. has been involved in the vans; 3 vans & 11 cars; and 2 dard has special empathy other ways to look at the in recent years, but “Who is going to fill that test’s design since the be- buses, 3 vans & 4 cars) for students who struggle question. Before long, the there’s still debate about gap?” she said. ginning. PARCC will re- Source: Websites for each test with math. “There are whiteboards were full of how much these changes The TCAP “has to be place TCAP in math, read- some kids (who) math calculations. have improved student relevant because our ing and writing for grades comes easy to, and I tell When the time for learning. Test scores have school and our teachers 3-11, state officials say. the Common Core tests my kids that for me, it group work was up, Woo- been rising, according to are judged and evaluated The PARCC tests in because of concern over didn’t. I had to do my dard asked one girl to pre- the state Department of on those tests,” said Sarah math and English are de- costs. The new tests will homework and really sent her solution, a table. Education, but some Shepherd, an instruction- signed to reinforce the cost from $22.50 to $29.50 think about it.” Woodard and the class teachers and administra- al coach at Rose Park. philosophy behind the per student. Gauthier That’s why Woodard were impressed. “I think tors feel the rapid pace of Emily Barton, assis- Common Core — more says the PARCC test will doesn’t agree with critics she deserves some fire- change has led to low mo- tant commissioner of cur- critical thinking, a deeper cost the state $21million who say the Common works,” Woodard said. rale. riculum and instruction understanding of math to $25 million, compared Core is too hard for strug- The other students Now there’s a new for the state education de- concepts and a greater with an estimated $20 mil- gling students. In fact, she waved their hands in the player in town, the Com- partment, thinks the gap use of evidence by stu- lion for TCAP. thinks the Common Core’s air and called out, mon Core standards. won’t be as great as some dents in their writing. Another hurdle will be focus on fewer concepts, “Whoosh!” and “Boom!” While many educators educators fear. Barton, managing expectations. in greater depth, may Then another student have embraced them, oth- who is in charge of the Glitches and costs States that have already even help them. “The goal showed how he had solved ers worry that their im- transition to the Common One obstacle in switch- launched tests aligned to is for me not to talk a lot, the problem using an pact won’t be clear until Core, says the state has ing to the PARCC test has the Common Core have but to ask a lot of ques- equation. A third student 2015 or later. That’s be- been “narrowing” the been the fact that it’ll be reported significant dips tions so I am advancing demonstrated how he’d cause this school year, TCAP “to mimic only the administered online. In in scores. Teachers in Ten- their thinking,” she said. begun working on a new schools will still use the content that is on the Com- the last budget season, nessee, whose evalua- problem: how many Tennessee Comprehen- mon Core.” Gov. Bill Haslam set aside tions depend in part on The group approach stamps each cousin would sive Assessment Pro- “If you teach Common $51million for schools to test scores, are con- Rose Park students have by year’s end. gram, or TCAP, whose Core, you will cover ev- upgrade their technology, cerned. who didn’t do well on the Woodard believes the tests weren’t designed to erything that is on the which state Education De- Indicators of student state’s standardized tests Common Core approach reflect material in the TCAP,” Barton said. partment spokeswoman performance might get get an extra math class will be effective for stu- Common Core. Any gap that does exist Kelli Gauthier says worse before they get bet- every day called Focus dents at all levels. For Some educators are should disappear by the should be enough to meet ter, but Tennessee won’t Seminar. On a recent now, there are no data to concerned about how to 2014-15 school year, when PARCC’s requirement of be alone because all states weekday, they settled back up that belief be- negotiate differences be- the state switches to a test one computer for every that have adopted the down to work at groups of cause students won’t take tween the old tests and the aligned with Common six or seven students. But Common Core standards tables. tests aligned to the new new standards. Fifth- Core standards. this year, some states that probably will experience For the next 50 min- standards until next grade math teacher Holly That testing system jumped ahead to adopt on- the same problem. utes, Woodard turned school year. Gailey, who has been at was created by a group line tests experienced ma- class into more of a con- Nashville’s Rose Park called the Partnership for jor technical glitches. This story was produced by The versation than a lecture. This story was produced by The Magnet Middle School for Assessment of Readiness Several states — in- Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, At one point, she gave her Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, 15 years, has seen the cur- for College and Careers. cluding Alabama and nonpartisan education-news students a problem about nonpartisan education-news riculum change dramat- Like the Common Core, it Georgia — have recently outlet based at Teachers Col- two cousins who collected outlet based at Teachers Col- ically since her first days is a consortium of states backed away from using lege, Columbia University. stamps. Before the calcu- lege, Columbia University. Standards focus on problem-solving, collaboration »STANDARDS FROM 1A all about meaning.” careers. LEARN MORE tant,” she said. “I needed that this is it,” said state Proponents say the to be the facilitator and Rep. Joe Pitts, a Democrat ing that kids are doing Adivisive subject Common Core is better Learn more about the Com- not the lecturer.” from Clarksville. “In fact, now, and the way that they The Common Core than previous standards mon Core at http://hechinger The change to a new Ifully expect something are able to express them- grew out of concerns in many states because it report.org/category/special_ way of thinking and teach- else. It’s like the latest, selves in the classroom. from educators around emphasizes problem- reports/common_core. ing hasn’t been easy. At greatest shiny thing and It’s really exciting to hear the country that U.S. stu- solving and collaboration Rose Park, instructional it’s new, so let’s try it.” them talk and use all of dents were far behind —skills students will tentious battle over coach Sarah Shepherd Other critics worry the math terms to explain their peers in countries need in the workplace. In whether Tennessee will says the Common Core that the standards are too their thinking and con- such as Singapore and many states, students will stick with the Common standards challenge complicated for students struct arguments.” South Korea on interna- delve more deeply into Core. teachers who have grown who typically struggle. One of the big ideas be- tional tests. The National fewer topics, allowing Speakers complained used to another way of do- But Woodard and her fel- hind the Common Core is Governors Association more time for them to that the standards were ing things. “It really low Rose Park teachers to break down barriers and the Council of Chief grasp concepts. part of an effort by the forces the teacher to be- are more optimistic. between subjects, encour- State School Officers But critics have be- federal government to come more engaged and Having the kids speak aging math students to commissioned experts to come increasingly vocal. collect extensive data on the children to engage up more in class gives write about problems devise new standards for Last month, the state Sen- students and that they with each other,” she said. Woodard a better sense of rather than merely turn in math and English that ate Education Committee represented a threat to how well they understand arow of numbers. “That’s would be based on re- held two days of hearings states’ rights. The stan- Will it work? specific concepts. If she what I like about Common search and would prepare on the new standards, set- dards also were attacked Because the Common sees a problem, she can Core,” Woodard said. “It’s students for college and ting up a potentially con- by some speakers for be- Core is just being intro- help on the spot. “I think it ing too lax, while others duced statewide this year, is about setting high ex- said the Common Core it’s too soon to tell whether pectations and believing might be too rigorous for it will live up to the poten- that they can do it,” Woo- Tennessean.com struggling students. tial its proponents see in dard said. Published daily at 1100 Broadway, Nashville,TN37203 |Periodicals postage paid at Nashville.(USPS 371-560) Tennessee officially it. Some critics worry that Over a recent lunch, adopted the standards in it’s just one more “re- members of the eighth- contact us customer service If you miss delivery of the Sunday print edition, a 2010 and began phasing form” imposed on the grade teaching team — News tips:[email protected] 1-800-342-8237 replacement may be requested by calling 1-800- them in over the past state in recent years by Woodard, science teacher Letterstothe Editor: Hours: Monday-Friday 8a.m.-7 p.m. 342-8237. Redelivery service not available [email protected] Saturday/Sunday 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Saturday. three years. 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She states to were using original sourc- President &Publisher •Including Friday-Sunday print edition delivery: Laura Hollingsworth, 259-8303 remembers coming home win a es in writing projects, and $27 per month advertising policies Pitts [email protected] •Including Saturday and Sunday print edition To ensure the best response to your ad, please after a training weekend Race to Denning said she felt Executive Editor and delivery: $22 per month taketime to be sure your ad is correct in the first in April feeling exhausted the Top classroom discussions Vice President/News •Including Sunday print edition delivery: issue it appears.The publisher is responsible only but inspired. “I really grant ($501million in helped students enjoy sci- $22 per month Maria De Varenne, 259-8003 for one day’scharge for the space occupied by wanted to rest,” she says, 2010). At the time, Gov. ence more. [email protected] the error.Ifyour ad is incorrect, please call us Rates that include print edition delivery apply to areas immediately to have it corrected. Thepublisher “but my mind kept turn- Bill Haslam called the All of them see middle Vice President/Marketing &Strategy where carrier delivery service is available.The reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising Kurt Allen Thanksgiving Day print edition is delivered with every copy submitted for publication and the publisher ing about how I could state “the focal point of school as a special oppor- [email protected] subscription that includes print edition delivery and shall not be liable for advertisements omitted for change this lesson that I education reform in the tunity. will be charged at the then regular Sunday newsstand any reason. Theadvertiser assumes sole liability was going to do the very nation.” “I love the fact that at Vice President/Human Resources price,which will be reflected in the November pay- for all content of advertisements. Kathy Cheatham ment. Subscriptions that include print edition delivery Rates and additional policies regarding the next day. I didn’t want to Arecent report by the this age, they can still fall [email protected] are also delivered the following premium print edi- publication of advertising in TheTennessean are do it the way I had group Broader, Bolder in love with math,” Woo- tion: 1/1, 5/27, 7/4, 9/2, 11/28, 12/25. available through the Advertising Department. Vice President/Finance Please call 615-259-8338 or 1-800-828-4ADS. planned. After that train- Approach to Education, dard said. “They can still Kevin Huff EZ Payisaconvenient method for automatically pay- Advertisers are responsible for the content of [email protected] ing, I knew how to fix it.” however, found that Race change their minds about ing your subscription. To start or switch asubscription their ads.The views and opinions contained Woodard found that to the Top in Tennessee it.” Vice President/Sales payment to EZ Pay, call (800) 342-8237 or go to therein are their sole responsibility. John Ward Tennessean.com/ezpay terms and conditions apply. having students work on and other states didn’t sig- [email protected] problems in groups nificantly raise student This story was produced by The Vice President/Circulation helped them figure out so- achievement. Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, Jay Winkler THIS NEWSPAPER CONTAINS RECYCLED NEWSPRINT. lutions together. “The Will the Common Core nonpartisan education-news [email protected] RETAIL PRICING VARIES OUTSIDE OF METRO 5COUNTY AREA. whole idea of them talking be better? outlet based at Teachers Col- more than me was impor- “I have no confidence lege, Columbia University.