Common Core: A $15.8 Billion Gamble That Failed to Deliver
The promise of a unified American education system, a "race to the top" driven by a common set of academic standards known as Common Core, has largely fizzled out. Despite a seemingly unanimous embrace in its early years, the initiative, launched in 2009, has been widely criticized and ultimately deemed unsuccessful in its goal of improving student performance.
Common Core, a set of standards designed to prepare American students for success in college and the workforce, aimed to address concerns about lagging US academic performance, particularly in math and science. The standards, developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association, outlined specific knowledge and skills students should master in language arts and math from kindergarten through high school.
However, the implementation of Common Core was met with confusion and backlash. Parents found themselves struggling to help their children with homework that was unfamiliar and seemingly "bizarre." Critics, including former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, labeled the initiative a "disaster."
Federally funded research, conducted a decade after its launch, painted a bleak picture of the program’s impact. Studies found only minimal, and often negligible, effects on student achievement. Experts attribute this failure to several factors, including the top-down approach that stripped teachers of autonomy and ignored the diverse learning needs of individual students. The program also failed to address the underlying issue of poverty, a significant barrier to academic success.
Despite its initial widespread adoption, Common Core has been largely abandoned. More than 20 states have either repealed, revised, or edited the standards, and four have completely withdrawn.
The Common Core’s demise is a cautionary tale about the complexities of educational reform. While the initiative aimed to raise academic standards and provide a uniform measure of student success, it ultimately fell short due to a lack of flexibility, a lack of understanding by parents and the public, and a failure to address the systemic issues that contribute to educational disparities. The future of education in the United States remains uncertain, but it’s clear that meaningful and lasting progress requires more than just standardized testing and top-down mandates. As one expert put it, "What we need to recognize is that education is the asset our community is built upon… It matters whether they learn it or they don’t, and if they’re not learning it… then we have an obligation as the adults in America to do what we can to bring them up to the standard."
A Common Core Conundrum: Did We Raise Standards, Or Just Expectations?
For most of us, solving a simple math equation is as straightforward as following a familiar set of steps. But in the realm of education, implementing a common curriculum called Common Core wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Introduced in 2009, this ambitious initiative aimed to revolutionize American education by setting uniform standards for language arts and math across the country. Yet, while it was hailed by President Obama and figures like Bill Gates, Common Core eventually faced a wave of criticism and ultimately failed to significantly improve student performance. So what happened?
Key Takeaways:
- Common Core’s aims were lofty: It sought to raise academic standards to better prepare students for college and careers, closing the gap with other developed nations.
- Implementation was costly: National leaders invested an estimated $15.8 billion to implement Common Core in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories.
- Controversy arose: The new standards were met with confusion and ridicule, particularly among parents who struggled to understand the unique methods of instruction.
- Impact was underwhelming: Despite initial hopes, research revealed only minor effects on student performance, largely neutral or even slightly negative.
- Politicalization played a role: Common Core became a political football, fueling divisions across the political spectrum.
- The future is uncertain: While the future of Common Core remains unclear, experts agree that education in the U.S. will continue to evolve, even without a federal push for standardized standards.
A Race to the Top: The Promise of Common Core
The Common Core State Standards Initiative was born out of a perceived need for academic improvement in the U.S. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that American students lagged behind their peers in reading, science, and math.
"We’re gonna hold schools responsible for teaching to a higher level, and then test kids to see whether or not they’ve attained that higher level," explains [SOURCE], highlighting the initiative’s focus on accountability.
Beyond improving academic performance, Common Core aimed to standardize educational expectations across different states, allowing for meaningful comparisons.
"One state might now say we’re doing a great job of achieving our standards, but the standards are very low. And another state is saying, yeah, we’re not doing as well as we’d like to be doing and achieving our standards, but they’re very high," notes [SOURCE], illustrating the need for uniformity.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA) spearheaded the development of the Common Core standards, with support from organizations like Achieve, the National Education Association (NEA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
The Federal Push and the Rise of Controversy
While the Common Core was a state-led initiative, the federal government played a crucial role in its promotion through the Race to the Top program.
"We will end what has become a race to the bottom in our schools and instead spur a race to the top by encouraging better standards and assessments," declared then-President Obama, emphasizing the program’s objective.
The Race to the Top fund offered $4.35 billion in grants to states willing to adopt college and career-ready standards, effectively pushing Common Core adoption.
"States were desperate for money, the Obama administration put together a recovery package for the states. But one of the requirements was they had to have adopted College and Career Readiness Standards, which is a code word for Common Core," reveals [SOURCE], linking the program to the initiative’s widespread adoption.
Despite initial enthusiasm, Common Core soon attracted criticism. Parents and the media struggled to comprehend the new teaching methods, triggering widespread confusion and mockery.
"A lot of parents were getting homework that came home that they just didn’t understand. They thought it was bizarre," recalls [SOURCE], reflecting the widespread public disapproval.
A Shift in Teaching Methods
Common Core brought about changes in the way students were taught, moving beyond traditional rote learning.
"Do you know the Pythagorean Theorem, right? Like, okay, a squared plus b squared equals c squared, you can probably ask any adult and they can shoot that back to you. It was more about, if you have that knowledge, if you understand what it is, where do you use that? How do you apply it?" explains [SOURCE], highlighting the emphasis on real-world application.
In language arts, the focus shifted towards critical thinking and analysis using primary sources.
"There was much more of a focus on moving a little bit away from fiction to much more focus on the critical thinking using real live documents like studying Hamilton papers or something like that, to really understand what was going on at that time of the revolution," shares [SOURCE], describing the shift in curriculum.
The Common Core Conundrum: Did We Raise Standards, Or Just Expectations?
Over a decade after its launch, research on Common Core’s impact yielded disappointing results. Studies revealed minor effects, with some showing minimal negative results, others showing slight positive effects, and many showing neutral outcomes.
"The one thing we can be pretty certain of is that Common Core did not have a dramatic impact on student achievement the United States," concludes [SOURCE], summarizing the research findings.
While Common Core raised standards and expectations for students, it failed to translate into demonstrably improved academic performance.
A Tale of Two Theories: Why Common Core Fell Short
Experts attribute Common Core’s shortcoming to various factors, but two prominent theories stand out.
- Teacher Empowerment: One theory posits that Common Core stripped teachers of control, limiting their ability to tailor instruction to individual student needs.
"The idea that you could dictate curriculum to a teacher or dictate instruction to a teacher from kind of remote control, from up above and say, well, here, here it is, that you’re going to teach. It’s simply unrealistic," argues [SOURCE], highlighting the limitations of a standardized curriculum.
- Socioeconomic Disparities: Another theory suggests that Common Core failed to address the educational needs of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"A lot of children’s needs are not being met within the four walls of their school building," states [SOURCE], emphasizing the role of poverty and other socio-economic factors.
"As a country, we just have not committed to the underlying problem of student performance, and that is poverty," underscores [SOURCE], highlighting the systemic nature of the challenge.
The Legacy of Common Core: A Retreat From Standards
The widespread adoption of Common Core soon faced a backlash, with more than 20 states repealing, revising, or editing the standards. Four states, including Arizona, Oklahoma, Indiana, and South Carolina, completely withdrew from the initiative.
Betsy DeVos, the former Secretary of Education, went as far as to label Common Core a "disaster," declaring it "dead at the federal level."
"I don’t think Common Core as such has a future honestly now," shares [SOURCE], reflecting a growing sentiment among education leaders.
While Common Core has fallen out of favor, its influence persists. Many states have retained elements of the original standards, albeit under different names.
"The standards that the states have come up with, where they claim they were different from Common Core, they’re really not that much different," reveals [SOURCE], highlighting the enduring impact of the initiative.
The Politicalization of Education: A Doomed Initiative
Common Core’s failure can be partly attributed to its politicalization. Opposition to standardized testing and other contentious issues fueled divisions across the political spectrum, undermining the initiative’s credibility.
"It was this left right coalition that really doomed Common Core politically, it wasn’t necessarily evidence coming out that Common Core was effective or not effective," explains [SOURCE], highlighting the politically charged nature of the debate.
The label of "Common Core" became synonymous with a particular political stance, even as states adopted similar standards under different names.
"They didn’t want the label Common Core because that had become politicized and identified with a political party or political leader, and the thing began to fall apart," [SOURCE] argues, tracing the initiative’s demise to its political baggage.
The Future of American Education: A New Chapter
While the Biden administration has yet to explicitly comment on Common Core, experts believe the federal government will continue to abstain from dictating educational standards.
"I don’t think you’re gonna see the Biden administration enthusiastically embrace Common Core," predicts [SOURCE], reflecting a shift towards local control.
Despite the setbacks, experts remain optimistic about the future of education in the U.S.
"The future of education is extraordinary. And it’s extraordinarily important, because what we need to recognize is that education is the asset our community is built upon it’s the thing that we invest in to ensure community growth," underscores [SOURCE], emphasizing the critical role of education in societal progress.
"It matters whether they learn it or they don’t, and if they’re not learning it as an individual student, or as a subgroup of students, then we have an obligation as the adults in America to do what we can to bring them up to the standard because the standard is ultimately what they need to survive and thrive in this economy, which is ultimately what we as a society and as a nation, need if we’re gonna survive and thrive as a democracy and as a 21st century international economy," concludes [SOURCE], highlighting the critical importance of education in shaping a prosperous future.
While Common Core failed to achieve its ambitious goals, its legacy underscores the complex challenges facing American education. The initiative serves as a reminder that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be the best solution for a diverse student population. As the education landscape continues to evolve, finding effective solutions that address both academic needs and societal inequalities remains a vital priority.