Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Description

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is an effort to minimize the learning gap between high- and low-achieving students in the United States by providing a set of standards all students must meet by the end of each grade level. Although 46 states already adopted the CCSS, there are varied opinions on the effectiveness of this new reform. This research examined the opinions of citizens in Connecticut, using written testimonies from a public hearing that took place in Hartford on March 12, 2014. The results show that two groups express support of the CCSS: statewide organizations and suburban administrators, who believe that the CCSS will create students who are globally competitive and better prepared for college and careers because the standards are challenging. On the other hand, suburban teachers and suburban parents are opponents of the CCSS because the standards are too rigorous and focus on test-taking rather than critical thinking skills. The results of this research suggest that speakers may vary their support of the CCSS based on how they perceive the Core’s effects within or outside the school.

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Community Partner: CT Parent Power

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