“Building an Airplane in the Sky”: A Case Study on Perceptions of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

This qualitative study examined teacher perceptions of the Common Core State Standards; the case study occurred within a small elementary school in Western Wisconsin. Eight educators, including six classroom teachers and two administrators, one principal and one reading specialist/literacy coach, participated in this study. Two major themes in perceptions of need and impact emerged from the interview data, with several subthemes within need and impact including: needs for staff development/training, support, time and better understanding as well as impacts on students’ social-emotional well-being, district funding, student learning, teacher identities and well-being, instruction/pedagogy/reading, assessment, and student diversity. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn including more time and staff development opportunities within a Professional Learning Community framework and empowerment of teacher leaders, self-reflection, and dialogue within a critical pedagogy lens.