English/ Language Arts State Standards

While I was reading the common core state standards for reading literature, I focused on grades five through eight. There wasn't a lot that surprised me in the standards. However, one standard that I think is very important is CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.4:
"Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts." 

For my students this is the standard that I focus on quite often because it seems to be what they struggle with the most. Being able to differentiate multiple different texts is a very important part of studying English. After working with my students for quite a while on this standard, I can see them starting to improve. I believe that as a whole teachers need to follow the common core state standards. However, I have realized that a lot of the standards should also be common sense for any teacher. My only worry and concern as a teacher is I am constantly worried about hitting what the common core state stands require me to hit while I am teaching. I also have to wonder if the reason for the teacher shortage across Washington has something to do with the stress of teaching to the test showing that your students hit the state standards. If this is the case, clearly something has to be done. While I believe that the state standards are a great resource for teachers to see what their students should be learning in the classroom, it should not be what teachers should be forced to teach in their classrooms to ensure that their students pass a state test. I believe that both teachers and students would be able to enjoy class a lot more if the common core state standards served as a resource and not a checklist of what a teacher must have accomplished over a certain amount of time.