MINNESOTA
The third edition of Primary Sources is in final preparations and features 20,000 of our nation’s public school teachers sharing their thoughts on teaching in an era of change. In advance of the full report, a preview of Minnesota teachers’ views on the Common Core State Standards — a set of clear, consistent guidelines for what students should know and be able to do for success after graduation — is now available.
The survey reveals enthusiasm for the standards among Minnesota’s teachers, who believe the standards will have a positive impact on students’ ability to think critically and use reasoning skills. While they are realistic about implementing Common Core, recognizing this work will be challenging, they offer their views on what they need most to help students meet the standards. Listening to our teachers and bringing their voices to the forefront of the dialogue on education is critical to ensuring our students are prepared for college, career and life.
- Two in three (66%) English language arts teachers in Minnesota are enthusiastic about the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in their classroom.
- Nearly three in five (57%) English language arts teachers in Minnesota believe the standards will have a positive impact on students’ ability to think critically and use reasoning skills. Forty-three percent (43%) do not expect an impact either way or are not sure; zero percent of respondents expect a negative impact.
- At the same time, 59% of English language arts teachers in Minnesota believe implementing the standards is or will be challenging.
- When asked about the student populations in their classrooms meeting the Common Core State Standards, teachers in Minnesota are most concerned about students who are currently working two or more grades below grade-level (with 45% expressing concern) followed by special education students (19%) and English language learners (16%).
- For these and other students, teachers in Minnesota say age-appropriate, leveled instructional materials (45%), school leaders who are committed to providing the resources needed for selected student populations (33%), high-interest instructional materials (32%), in-school specialists for selected student populations (31%), trained paraprofessionals in the classroom (31%) and co-teachers in the classroom (30%) are among the top needs to help students meet the standards.
Note: Minnesota adopted the Common Core ELA standards and did not adopt the mathematics standards. Therefore, questions about specific implementation issues and the impact of CCSS are presented among ELA teachers only. Broader issues including teacher concerns for specific student populations and the top resources teachers need for these populations are presented among all teachers in Minnesota.