Sharon Kirkes, Webb Wesconnett Regional Branch Manager, had this to share about her recent trip to ALA's midwinter meeting in Seattle, January 25-29: "The conference had fewer presentations than committee meetings, but two of the sessions I attended were really informative—the one on the PLA Digital Learning project, and the session on Common Core, which I knew very little about.
"I visited Seattle Public’s Central Library—interesting architecture (very Bauhaus), but not as beautiful as ours. There were some service differences, like their coin-operated printing service, limited guest pass policy, and teen desk hours.
"Seattle appears to be a thriving, very active city, but the weather is depressing. I was so glad to get back to Florida."
I asked Mrs. Kirkes to explain a little about what she learned about "Common Core" and this is her input: "It is a new set of education requirements that is being implemented in schools. Florida seems to be moving right along with this approach. It includes style and emphasis changes--students reading from a variety of sources and being able to evaluate a case based on evidence. Common Core involves a different approach to teaching/learning and content. Reading lists will not include so much fiction; they will include more nonfiction; I don't know the ratio.
"As I undersand it, FCAT will evaluate students' performance in a particular course, so it will be broken down more--science, reading skills, etc. and will involve independent, critical thinking, and evaluating materials--a change in approach and content."
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