LEARNING TO THINK IS THE GOAL

Letter to the Los Angeles Times | http://bit.ly/OksXFm

Re “Common Core learning curve,” Editorial, March14

http://t.co/EHTNQkunD3

Not mentioned in the editorial is the astonishing amount of testing required by Common Core and the requirement that testing be done online.

No Child Left Behind required tests “only” at the end of the year in reading and math in grades three through eight and once in high school. Common Core aims to test all subjects in all grades and includes interim tests throughout the school year.

To take the tests, students must be connected to the Internet with up-to-date computers. After the computers are in place, there will be continual upgrades and replacements. The $1billion set aside by Gov. Jerry Brown for implementing Common Core in California is only the beginning.

There is no evidence that massive online testing will benefit students.

STEPHEN KRASHEN
Los Angeles

Dr. Krashen is a professor emeritus of education at USC.