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Common Core State Standards are a “Non-Issue” in the Presidential Race
In a column published by Townhall, Common Core opponent Phyllis Schlafly outlined how Common Core “ended the Bush Dynasty.” Schlafly details how education issues plagued both then-Vice President George H.W. Bush and George Bush, and how Governor Jeb Bush’s stance on Common Core would “‘kill’ any chance of returning the Bush family to the White House.”
But Schlafly isn’t looking at the complete picture. Yes, Governor Bush has suspended his campaign and yes, he happened to support high standards. However, other conservative leaders have opposed the Common Core State Standards or claimed to have repealed them in their state – like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie – and have suspended their campaigns as well.
Common Core State Standards are not an issue in the presidential race – and it’s unfair for Schlafly to try to make it one. Karen Nussle states in a recent memo that “Common Core may be a convenient punching bag for some conservative leaders, but the standards remain firmly established in 43 of the original 46 states that adopted them. While many are reviewing, tweaking and even renaming the standards, states are resisting pressure to revert to lower standards – not because Washington is compelling them, but because the standards raise the bar for students.”
In addition – the Common Core State Standards are not under the purview of the next president, as academic standards are a state and local decision, not a federal one.
Despite a less than perfect implementation process, states are committed to keeping standards high and ensuring that students are prepared for college or the workforce. As Karen Nussle explains, we have seen how “resilient the Common Core State Standards have proven to be” and “are unlikely to see any kind of mass movement away from this critically important initiative.”
About the Collaborative for Student Success
At our core, we believe leaders at all levels have a role to play in ensuring success for K-12 students. From ensuring schools and teachers are equipped with the best materials to spotlighting the innovative and bold ways federal recovery dollars are being used to drive needed changes, the Collaborative for Student Success aims to inform and amplify policies making a difference for students and families.
To recover from the most disruptive event in the history of American public schools, states and districts are leveraging unprecedented resources to make sure classrooms are safe for learning, providing students and teachers with the high-quality instructional materials they deserve, and are rethinking how best to measure learning so supports are targeted where they’re needed most.