Is Common Core on the Ropes?

Opponents of rigid and controversial Common
Core education standards just may be winning the battle. That
pending victory is something Reason has
pointed out in the past, as we’ve urged that libertarians
should
cheer for such an outcome, and work instead for expanded
flexibility in education, and more consideration for the diversity
of the kids on the receiving end of educrat ambitions.

It’s impassioned moms who are defeating Common Core,
suggests Stephanie Simon at Politico, overwhelming
“sedate videos” and “talking points.”

Honestly, though, Common Core supporters have also resorted to
less cerebral tactics, such as
condescension and
political smears.

Simon’s article is tilted more than a little toward the idea
that Common Core has the facts on its side, while opponents are
driven by emotion.

Teachers who like the Common Core say it’s revolutionized their
classrooms, prodding students to read texts more closely and think
more analytically. But it’s hard to convey that in a tweet. Really
good sixth-grade essay questions rarely go viral. A nonsensical
math problem might, whether or not it truly has anything to do with
the Common Core.

In fact, though, while some of the arguments against the
standards—as with anything coming from a grassroots movement—can be
a little wild-eyed, opponents raise serious concerns about the way
the standards were developed and their one-size-fits-all
nature.

In the Washington Post, teacher Edward Miller and Nancy
Carlsson-Paige, an academic specializing in early childhood
education,
questioned the appropriateness of the standards for younger
students. “It appears that early childhood teachers and child
development experts were excluded from the K-3 standards-writing
process.”

The Cato Institute’s Jason Bedrick
focuses on the standards’ rigidity, warning that “Common
Core-aligned tests (particularly college entrance exams) will
essentially dictate content: what concepts are taught when and
perhaps even how.”

Which is to say, moms (and others) may have good reason to be
pissed off.

Whatever the arguments wielded by the opposing sides, though,
though, opponents seem to be gaining the upper hand. The public is
still split, but opposition to the standards is on the rise in
places like
California and
New York. Nationally, Republicans
take a dim view of the scheme.

EdWeek
tracks state efforts to ditch Common Core, though its tracker
isn’t up-to-date. Oklahoma isn’t even listed, though that state’s
Supreme Court
recently upheld the legislature’s torpedoing of the
standards.

Simon says that Common Core supporters “consider it a victory
that just five states, so far, have taken steps to back out.”

Well, that’s a start.