Understanding Common Core: A Breakdown of the Pros and Cons
A big change is underway in the world of American education.
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Forty-five states have voluntarily adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS), an educational initiative “designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.” Common Core is meant to streamline state curricula through a set of universal specifications so that kids all over the country will be learning the same things. Some states have already introduced the new standards, and it’s scheduled to be fully implemented by the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.
But the mass-standardization has led to a huge backlash, including talk of a protest on November 18. Angry parents instates across the country have organized a walkout around that date.
It’s not surprising that a change this significant would rouse very strong opinions, yet just over two months ago, almost two in three Americans had never heard of Common Core. You can bet that as we draw closer to full implementation, we will all hear plenty. To prepare you for the onslaught, here is a breakdown of