Common Core paints a worrying picture

The more one hears about the schools’ Common Core Standards being implemented this fall, the more unsettling the picture gets.

Of the 45 states who originally signed on, about a dozen are now backing off partially or completely. There’s good reason: the results from states already teaching by Common Core Standards are dismal.

On Aug. 7 the New York Times reported that in New York City, 26 percent of students in third through eighth grade passed the English tests, and 30 percent passed in math. Last year, 47 percent passed in English, and 60 percent in math. Scores fell in every district. In nine schools, not a single student passed the math exams. Even some of the city’s highest-performing schools like Manhattan’s Anderson School reports that while last year the entire 7th grade passed the exam, this year 8 percent failed. Statewide, 31 percent passed in reading and math, compared with 55 percent in reading and 65 percent in math last year.

Kentucky, the first state to adopt the standards, also showed a drastic drop in scores.

Parents, teachers, and principals are left unsettled over inadequate training and curriculum issues and children being the sacrificial lambs.

Idaho School Superintendent Luna and LPOSD Superintendent Woodward acknowledge that a 30 percent drop in scores is expected for the next 2-5 years. How they will deal with students who are caught in this bind is unclear. Woodward talks about some sort of “intervention,” but why should that be necessary? Why not just teach to more sensible standards from the get-go?

ANITA PERRY

Sandpoint