The Common Core Debate
by William Parker • • 0 Comments
Lately, a lot of controversy has arisen over the implementation of Common Core standards in U.S. public schools.
A recent op-ed by George Will, and a resolution by the Oklahoma Republican Party calling for the end of Common Core demonstrate what a thorny political issue it has become in my own state.
At the same time, as I read the arguments against Common Core, it seems like many of those speaking out are failing to grasp the real challenges public schools are facing.
Where I Agree
First of all, I will concede that a one-size-fits-all government remedy to any problem is a bad solution. But lawmakers are making a mistake in characterizing Common Core as the problem at hand. Common Core is simply a set of academic standards.
First of all, I will concede that a one-size-fits-all government remedy to any problem is a bad solution. But lawmakers are making a mistake in characterizing Common Core as the problem at hand. Common Core is simply a set of academic standards.
Context for Common Core
The road U.S. public schools have traveled to begin the transition to Common Core has been a long one.
The road U.S. public schools have traveled to begin the transition to Common Core has been a long one.
Robert Haveman, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Public Affairs at University of Wisconsin-Madisonand and Timothy Smeeding, Professor of Public Policy at Syracuse University, propose in The Role of Higher Education in Social Mobility that 55% of students entering community colleges in our country are taking remediation courses in English and mathematics (remediation courses count for no credit) their first year.
Research from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates the number of entry-year students taking