To try to overhaul its educational system and make preparations more high school graduates for the global economy, the U.S. recently introduced a new list of educational standards, referred to as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), for K-12 education. Typically known as just “Common Core,” these standards outline precisely what students should know about after the completing every year of college in two key areas: English Language Arts and Mathematics. As soon as they complete high school, then, students will theoretically be prepared to go to college or join the workforce.

The “Common Core” tries to define a single approach for teaching English Language Arts and Mathematics. English Arts area of the core, as an example, include five main areas – reading, writing, speaking and listening, languages and media and technology. The maths area of the core includes two main areas: practice (e.g. reasoning ability, quantitative skills) and content (e.g. geometry, algebra, statistics).

In the present moment, 42 U.S. states along with the District of Columbia have fully adopted the Common Core State Standards and something more state – Minnesota – has adopted English Language Arts and not Mathematics. You will find seven states – Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Alaska, Nebraska, Indiana and Sc – who have not adopted the Common Core.

Ever since these standards were formally travelling to June 2010, though, they are the subject of much controversy from the U.S. educational world. Current President-elect Donald Trump, as an example, has pledged to get rid of them as the first issues that he is doing as president.

While naturally to the obvious question: Why are they so controversial?

Perhaps the biggest issue, say critics from the Common Core, is that they try and institutionalize a “national curriculum” for states and local districts. Simply speaking, they say, the government is attempting to look at over what’s taught in the local and state level. Traditionally, states and local schools have been capable to know what they taught, along with the concept of the government involved in the process is alarming from their perspective. As proof, they cite the reality that it’s easier for states to get some form of federal school funding should they accept the Common Core.

The other problem, according to educators, is that there’s excessive attention positioned on testing and assessment. Which means educators are so often required to “teach to the test.” Put simply, as an alternative to Teaching job in USA what they want to and the way they need to, they must ensure that their students pass each of the necessary assessment tests. And, say educators, these assessment exams are fundamentally flawed.

A final problem is the Common Core only defines the content and skills required for two broad areas – English Language Arts and Mathematics. Currently, there’s an initiative to feature a Science core too, only several states make use of this. But that still leaves some areas – like social studies – which aren’t taught in core. And, furthermore, some emerging curriculum choices – like computer science and coding – are certainly not mentioned in any respect.

This means that 2017 could be the year that educators in America seriously reassess the objectives and goals of Common Core, and the ways to adapt them to get a Trump presidency. Donald Trump has now proposed a regular Choice and Education Opportunity Act, that may give power time for the states to make a decision how and when to show certain topics and concepts.
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