A few years ago, our math department switched to the Common Core curriculum. This curriculum was first adopted by many schools across Georgia in 2013. However, in 2023, the state eliminated this curriculum across all public schools because of multiple reasons that will be discussed down below. Some schools in Georgia even showed an increase in student proficiency after getting rid of this curriculum. But our school has continued with Common Core, rising some debates across the students and parents. While some may frown upon this curriculum, we also have to weigh in the benefits to see whether or not we should have switched as well. Let’s dive into what makes Common Core stand out from the others and what our students think.

Benefits of Common Core

This comprehensive curriculum focuses on several key skills that students need to have mastered for the future. Instead of just memorization, one of Common Core’s primary goals is to deepen students’ understanding of the material, leading to improved problem-solving skills and enhanced reasoning. It has been said that this type of learning is very beneficial when it comes to preparing students for college and their life outside of high school. Another strength of this curriculum is how the assessments give more information than just right or wrong. These assessments often require the students to both give an answer and explain how they got to their answer, allowing students to really think and understand the material. There are also pre-tests that teachers can use to see what each student really knows and how they can help them get to where they need to be.  It also encourages teachers to analyze an individual student’s progress, instead of comparing them to another student. But if there are very good aspects to this curriculum, why did the state abolish it across all the public schools? Let’s take a further look at some reasons that may have played into this decision.

Drawbacks of Common Core

One of the main issues with Common Core is the difficult transition from another curriculum. This curriculum teaches in a different way from how teachers were taught to instruct; it can be hard for some to pick up on the material and teach it to the students in a comprehensible way. It is also a hard transition for students, as well, having to deepen their thinking more than they were used to in the past. This poses many learning challenges that may have an effect on the students’ grades. Because of this, many teachers have retired or switched careers since Common Core is more focused on standards, limiting the teachers’ creativity. Another problem that can be very difficult for both the teacher and student is how vague and particularly challenging the material is. It can be hard to grasp the information when not given specifics, especially when at a higher level. In addition, this curriculum has been viewed as “One-Size-Fits-All,” causing students to have to learn at the same pace as their classmates, and allowing less wiggle room when it comes to understanding, which is what Common Core is supposed to focus on. Now, since we have seen both the goods and the bads, let’s see what our students have to say about their experiences with Common Core.

Student Views on Common Core

Sophomore Emma Barron, who is currently taking Algebra 2 Honors, shares her opinions on the math curriculum.

“We have so many people saying it is too hard or that this is not working. I feel like, instead of giving us the curriculum packet to do by ourselves, the teachers should make their own problems and then give them to the students to try,” Barron said.

These packets that Barron is referring to are a part of the greater understanding quality that Common Core is trying to focus on. However, these packets can be particularly challenging, since they require the students to learn the material on their own before the teacher steps in.

While some students share their challenges with Common Core, others have different opinions. Freshman Ward Jennings, who is taking Geometry Honors, talks about the teacher’s roles in this curriculum.

“I feel like the teachers are doing a pretty good job of explaining the material. I think it really just depends on how the kids want to learn and what they think is best,” Jennings said.