Common Core

Definition

Common Core is a set of academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy that outline what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. It was developed to ensure consistent learning goals across states and to better prepare students for college and careers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Common Core was developed through a state-led initiative to establish consistent educational standards across the United States.
2. The standards focus on developing critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are essential for success in college and careers.
3. Adoption of the Common Core standards is voluntary, and states can choose to implement the standards or develop their own.
4. The Common Core standards are designed to be more rigorous and focused than previous state standards, with an emphasis on depth of understanding rather than breadth of coverage.
5. Implementation of the Common Core has been controversial, with debates around the role of the federal government in education and concerns about the impact on local control and teaching methods.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Common Core standards relate to the categorization of public policy.
  • The Common Core standards are a form of public policy, as they are a set of educational guidelines developed and implemented at the state level. They fall under the category of social policy, as they aim to improve the quality of education and prepare students for success in college and careers. The adoption and implementation of the Common Core standards by individual states can be seen as a policy decision that reflects the priorities and values of those states, which is an important aspect of categorizing public policy.
• Describe the role of the Common Core standards within the broader policy arena of education.
  • The Common Core standards are a significant policy initiative within the education policy arena, as they directly impact the curriculum, teaching methods, and assessments used in schools across the United States. The standards are designed to create more consistency and rigor in educational outcomes, which can influence other policy decisions related to teacher training, funding, and accountability measures. Additionally, the implementation of the Common Core has sparked debates and controversies within the education policy arena, as stakeholders have differing views on the appropriate role of the federal government in shaping educational standards and the impact on local control and autonomy.
• Analyze how the development and implementation of the Common Core standards reflects the broader policy-making process.
  • The development and implementation of the Common Core standards exemplify the complex and multi-faceted nature of the policy-making process. The standards were initially developed through a state-led initiative, reflecting a bottom-up approach to policy-making. However, the federal government's involvement in promoting and incentivizing the adoption of the standards has raised concerns about the appropriate balance of power between state and federal authorities in education policy. The ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the Common Core also highlight the role of various stakeholders, such as educators, parents, and political interest groups, in shaping the policy outcomes. The evolution of the Common Core standards over time and the varying levels of implementation across states further demonstrate the dynamic and iterative nature of the policy-making process.

Related terms

Academic Standards: Descriptions of the knowledge and skills that students are expected to learn at each grade level in various academic subjects.

Curriculum: The courses, lessons, and educational content offered by a school or educational system.

College and Career Readiness: The level of preparation a student needs to enroll and succeed, without remediation, in a credit-bearing course at a postsecondary institution that offers a baccalaureate degree or in a high-quality certificate program that enables secure entry into a living-wage job.