Goal-Curriculum Alignment Measures: Comparing the Common Core State Standards to the Georgia Performance Standards

• In Event: The Question of Coherence: Perspectives on Curriculum Coordination and Alignment

Abstract

The authors use the Goal-Curriculum Alignment Measures (G-CAM) method to compare the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Both curricula are analyzed to determine their alignment to the schooling goal of economic participation in a knowledge society. This study finds that the CCSS are more strongly aligned to this economic goal than the GPS. However, systemic change towards more effective preparation of students for work would require Georgia education officers to supplement the CCSS with standards that address creativity, digital literacy, interpersonal participation in a learning society, intrapersonal skills of life-long learning, media literacy, problem-solving, and systems thinking. Evidence for these conclusions, implications of the study, and limitations of the method are discussed.

Authors

• Anissa Lokey-Vega, Kennesaw State University

• Doug Hearrington, Georgia Regents University