Common Core Confusion: A Guide to Understanding Your Child's Schoolwork
In this article, you will find:
The pros and cons of Common Core
The supporters of Common Core maintain that a set of national standards is essential for students to successfully enter college or the work force, and for our country to maintain a level of competitiveness on a global scale. Instead of 50 different sets of state standards across the country, the Common Core Standards outline a national set of principles, theoretically putting all students on equal footing.Opponents believe that a "one-size-fits-all" approach is an overreach by the government and creates a flawed system that impinges on teaching by demanding rigorous standards that don't leave any room for flexibility or creativity in a curriculum. Additionally, many believe the high standards set by Common Core assessments and standardized testing are unrealistic, as evidenced by the high number of students who "fail."
As a bottom line, many opponents think the rush to implement the Common Core Standards overshadowed the need to field-test them to see if they worked in real classrooms with real students, including those with learning difficulties and those who are learning English as a second language.
Additionally, many parents have voiced concern and frustration over the inability to understand "new math" and the Common Core curriculum, or to help their children if they need direction with their homework.