There is considerable controversy across the United States right now about the introduction of the Common Core States Standards Initiative, a drive across the majority of states and the federal government to set core standards for maths and English (or ‘math’ and ‘English language arts’, in American!). The Common Core standards have been developed over the past five years by a broad group of education specialists, teachers, school bosses, and officials, and have been introduced in 44 states and in DC. The standards apply from kindergarten through to 12th grade (5-18-year-olds) and focus on complex reading, core maths standards (not just repetition), and critical thinking. Common Core does not dictate what topics a school can cover or what books must be read, but it does set clear expectations for what kids should be able to do.
So why is Common Core so controversial? Some people believe that it has been introduced too quickly or that testing is taking place without appropriate preparation. Many teachers do not feel they are up to speed on all the changes, and a lot of kids seem to be struggling with the new standards which in turn is making them unhappy at school. For those on the left, specific criticisms are that Common Core requires too much testing, is too focused on learning facts (especially at an early age), and will permanently damage the education of a large number of children over the next few years even if it ultimately raises standards for the majority. Teachers’ unions, including the National Education Association, the largest in the US, are supportive of Common Core as a concept, but have been deeply critical about its implementation, arguing it has been too deep, too fast, and too haphazard.
The criticism from the right seems to be mainly based on the idea that this is a federal initiative (which it is not), that it takes freedom away from local schools and teachers (which it does not), and that it represents progressive thinking (fair enough). Also there are critiques of Common Core doing the rounds on the Internet which take a pop at the fundamentals of the teaching methods; counter-narratives have been put out there but have not made as big an impact.
The bottom line that is Common Core is a really good initiative that will, in time, substantially raise the educational standards of a majority of American kids. It teaches very young children some of the fundamentals of history, civics, science and literature. It encourages a mastery of a common set of facts. And it teaches kids to do maths in a way that is far more useful to them as they progress through school and through life.
Unfortunately, a great policy has been substantially weakened by its implementation. Although it is not a Democrat or Obama initiative, Common Core has been championed by the White House and by Democrats throughout the US, and so both risk being tainted by association. Of course, with 44 states having introduced Common Core, it has a lot of bipartisan support, reflecting the nation as a whole, but the debate around it is becoming increasingly partisan. Jeb Bush, son of George and brother of George W, has been a powerful advocate of Common Core in Florida, where he is governor. It might be that he needs to change his stance on it if he harbours ambitions of a run for the presidency in 2016. At the moment, despite some vocal opposition and politicking from the right, the majority of Americans support Common Core – but do not be surprised if, like Obamacare, Common Core becomes a stick to beat the left with in this year’s midterms, rather than a beacon for the benefits of progressive politics.
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