6 Myths About Common Core

The Common Core State Standards initiative is a set of national standards in English and mathematics that states can use to more accurately measure a child's academic progress.

Common Core has been implemented in 43 states and the District of Columbia and have transformed from a "unifying standard" into a "divisive hot potato," particularly after President Obama championed it, according to The Guardian.

In the ensuing political uproar, various myths have been peddled as fact. Here are six common myths about Common Core:

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1. Myth: Common Core is a national mandate dictating a national curriculum.

Fact: States retain authority over implementation while choosing whether to adopt the standards.

2. Myth: States that adopted Common Core have done so without any federal coercion.

Fact: The federal government — in complicated but unmistakable ways — does pressure states to live up to the standards. States had to adopt Common Core or similar standards if they wanted to get out of some of the onerous federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind law — which many do.

In addition, most states that adopted Common Core did so to be eligible to compete for federal Race to the Top funding.

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3. Myth: Federal officials could repeal Common Core.

Fact: There's no federal law — or even federal program — to repeal Common Core.

4. Myth: Common Core is an Obama administration initiative.

Fact: Common Core was, and continues to be state-led. No federal official was on the work teams and feedback groups that developed the standards. However, the Obama administration did help push the Common Core initiative into being, reports The Washington Post.

5. Myth: Common Core mandates specifically what schools must teach.

Fact: Common Core is an approach to teaching and does not come with a required reading list.

6. Myth: The Common Core standards are rigorous and will make children ready for college.

Fact: Even the Fordham Institute — a proponent of Common Core — admits that several states previously had standards superior to it and many states had standards at least as good. Common Core is designed to prepare students for a nonselective two-year community college — not a four-year university.

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Related Stories:

• 5 Reasons Students Praise Common Core

• 5 Reasons Lawmakers Criticize Common Core