So when deep rooted changes are made in the educational system, many in the community may be alarmed as to how those changes will impact them.
India West with the help of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and New America Media took a look at how the new Common Core Standards might affect Indian Americans.
“[In India], a lot of effort was placed on memorization and recitation, and the Common Core State Standards definitely run counter to that methodology,” said Vandana Makker, an Indian American teacher at San Lorenzo High School in California.
Arun Ramanathan is CEO of the non-profit Pivot Learning Partners. He see concerns from Indian American about Common Core first hand.
“There are a lot of folks who very much like the traditional model, and see a lot of benefit.”
Common Core Standards put a greater emphasis on critical thinking and analysis. But Ramanathan doesn’t think parents should be concerned.
“The Common Core actually starts with what children should know in order to succeed in college and be successful on entrance exams, and do well in college and graduate from college — and then works back through the grades,” he said.
You can read more about why Common Core is controversial and why many Republicans oppose it in India West.