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Correcting the Record: Common Core State Standards Are Not the Work of ‘Political Elitists’

During an education panel at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Emmett McGroarty of the American Principles Project claimed, “Common Core exposes a rift between political elitists and the people,” Red Alert Politics reports. McGroarty went on to criticize states for failing to make substantive changes to their Common Core State Standards, which he alleges lack quality content.

Common Core State Standards were developed by educators and experts from 49 states and territories under the leadership of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. States then voluntarily adopted the standards. The standards are not, as McGroarty suggests, the work of “political elitists” but instead a collaboration among state educators, experts and officials from across the country.

In the nearly six years since most states adopted the Common Core, state and local officials have continued to refine and build on them to ensure they meet students’ needs—exactly as the standards were designed.

Since 2010, at least 18 states have taken steps to review, rebrand or revise their Common Core standards—exactly as the standards were designed. Last year, 17 states, including some of the most conservative-leaning in the country, voted down or failed to move forward legislation to replace the Common Core, and zero passed full-scale repeal legislation.

In 2014 former Alabama Governor Bob Riley explained that Common Core State Standards ensure local control of education—and if parents have questions about their children’s homework they can go directly to their schools:

“I have always believed that the government that governs closest governs best. Local control, local decisions are almost always the best. It turns out that is exactly what is happening in our schools… If an Alabama parent or group of parents has an issue with a specific book in their local school, they do not have to lobby Washington for change… All they have to do is tell their concerns to the local school administration.”

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. 

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