I have been actively implementing the English language arts common core standards for three years while at the same time learning and implementing research based strategies to increase growth mindset in our students. I recently completed a very close study of both the math and English standards while I was simultaneously teaching a course on growth mindset. There is an important connection to be made between these two ideas that may assist in clearing up some confusion about the value of the common core and in particular, some complaints about doing things the hard way.

A common complaint from parents about the common core is that they have a hard time understanding the way students are being asked to do common tasks like simple subtraction problems as reported in an NBC article by Michael Rubinkam, “2+2=What? Parents Rail Against Common Core Math”.  At first glance, this article appears to be making a valid point but only a superficial look at this strategy isn’t enough to understand the purpose of this process. This particular problem would be easier the traditional way. And for people with a fixed mindset, one that assumes that it is better for learning to come easily, the traditional way is a logical choice. There is a higher rate of quick success when we take the easy route. So, if speed is seen as a sign of intelligence and strength, the traditional method does make more sense.

Another look at this problem in relation to the nature of the standards and the idea of growth mindset may illuminate another perspective. Growth mindset focuses on the idea that success and achievement happen through hard work and deliberate practice. It assumes that struggle is a natural part of learning and this struggle creates deeper, longer lasting connections in the brain. In a growth mindset mistakes, struggle and effort are necessary in order to achieve high levels of success. When we look at the common core math practices, we see expectations for the ability to persevere, reason abstractly, construct viable arguments, model, use tools, be precise, look for structure, and identify patterns. These are high level thinking skills that require more than rote memorization of processes. Perseverance, for example, by its very definition requires making mistakes, learning from them and continuing to work on solving a problem using this learned information. So, in order to succeed at this particular math practice outlined in the common core, one would have to be comfortable making mistakes. Someone with a fixed mindset would struggle with this. In the math example provided in the photo, students are required to practice additive reasoning, a key skill in learning multiplication and division and also a key skill in developing skills in more abstract mathematical concepts. So, yes, this may be a harder way but the skills that the two methods address are different. The additive reasoning skills will help students succeed later on when math gets harder and more abstract.

So, why do we have to do things differently? Well, in today’s economy, students don’t just need to know how to do the easiest thing. In fact, they need to be able to innovate, think flexibly, and adapt to quickly changing and novel situations. They need to be highly creative since they are now competing with a global community rather than just others in their local communities. Times are different for children today than they were for us (although I wouldn’t suggest that the old way prepared our generation either). The old way may have been okay for our parents but it isn’t going to work for us or our children. Looking at one difficult math problem and concluding that the common core is a detriment to education is short sighted. I’m not saying it is a perfect document but I would be hard pressed to argue that the way that I was taught was the best way out there. Our kids need to learn to struggle through these difficult tasks in order to develop necessary skills for their 21st century success. We need to promote a growth mindset and struggle through it with them. If you don’t know how to do the homework, be a partner in helping them figure it out. Check out this Will Smith story about building a brick wall. It would have been easier to hire someone else to build that wall but Will Smith has been pretty successful not just financially but as someone who states his life is satisfying.  We may have to start embracing challenge, as Will Smith did, rather than fighting it or trying to find an easier way. So, maybe it’s okay to do things the hard way?