Are Content Standards Too Much?

One of the most difficult things about teaching is taking all different learning levels, learning styles and learning abilities into account to ensure that all students receive a great education.

In my second-period Algebra 1 class, I had: advanced learners, students with 504s (medical issues that may impede learning), students with IEPs (special education), students with SSTs (behavior and/or academic challenges) and ELL students (first language is one other than English). Some students are right on track for their academic level. Some students still don't know their times tables. And some have such little motivation that they prefer to sleep or draw in class instead of learn.

This brings me to the age old question in teaching: Do we teach all of the state-mandated content standards and leave those students who can't keep up in the dust? Or do we teach as much as possible in the school year so students master the material presented to them?

In talking with my colleagues at my former school, a plan is in the works for the upcoming school year. The new department chair plans to have teachers teach all of the state-mandated content standards before STAR testing in April. In other words, the plan is to have the students master the concepts in 85 percent of the time. This sounds like a great plan! The only problem is, what happens when you have students who don't know their times tables and need extra help in learning them? What happens when you have students who genuinely don't care about learning? In a system where we are already strapped for time and energy, who is responsible for filling in the gaps in education and/or motivation?

Fellow teachers, parents, and school/district colleagues, I ask you the following question:

Should we teach 100 percent of the state-mandated content standards in one school year and leave students who can't keep up in the dust?   

OR

Should we teach 60 percent of the state-mandated content standards in one school year and ensure that 100 percent of our students master those said standards?