Ten Colossal Errors of Common Core

This is an informative article written by Anthony Cody.

I've shortened it for readability. If you'd like the
" Close Read " version visit
blogs.edweek.org/teachers/.../common_core_standards_ten_colo.html‎
Error #1: The process by which the Common Core standards were developed and adopted was undemocratic.  
Error #2: The Common Core State Standards violate what we know about how children develop and grow.
Error #3: The Common Core is inspired by a vision of market-driven innovation enabled by standardization of curriculum, tests, and ultimately, our children themselves.  
Error #4: The Common Core creates a rigid set of performance expectations for every grade level, and results in tightly controlled instructional timelines and curriculum.
Error #5: The Common Core was designed to be implemented through an expanding regime of high-stakes tests, which will consume an unhealthy amount of time and money. 
Error #6: Proficiency rates on the new Common Core tests have been dramatically lower—by design.
Error #7: Common Core relies on a narrow conception of the purpose of K-12 education as "career and college readiness.
"Error #8: The Common Core is associated with an attempt to collect more student and teacher data than ever before.
Error #9: The Common Core is not based on any external evidence, has no research to support it, has never been tested, and worst of all, has no mechanism for correction.

Error #10: The biggest problem of American education and American society is the growing number of children living in poverty.  As was recently documented by the Southern Education Fund (and reported in the Washington Post) across the American South and West, a majority of our children are now living in poverty.

In conclusion: Common standards, if crafted in a democratic process and carefully reviewed by teachers and tested in real classrooms, might well be a good idea. But the Common Core does not meet any of those conditions. 

This did not happen by accident. Powerful people have decided that because they have the money and influence to make things happen, they can do so. But in a democracy, the people ought to have the last word. Decisions such as this ought not be made at secret gatherings of billionaires and their employees. The education of the next generations of Americans is something we all have a stake in."

Anthony Cody concludes with,"And so, fellow citizens: Speak Up, Opt Out, Teach On!"