Common Core Math

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Transcript:
How much do you really know about Common Core?
According to its official website, the Common Core is “a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts….” These standards - developed by organizations controlled by state government officials -“represent what American students need to know and do to be successful in college and careers."

Common Core says that its math standards “call for speed and accuracy in calculation.” Sharpen your #2 pencil and let's see what that means with Just Facts’ Question of the Week.

How does Common Core suggest that first graders solve the problem 6 + 7?

a) 6 + 7 = 13
b) 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13
c) 6 + 10 – 3 = 13

The answer is “b.” The Common Core math standards require first graders to "think of whole numbers between 10 and 100 in terms of tens and ones" and solve problems such as "6 + 7" by "creating equivalent but easier or known sums" like this: "6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13."

In 2009, the Obama administration began providing financial incentives for states to embrace Common Core. By September of 2011, 44 states adopted it, most without any vote in their legislatures. However, there has been a backlash from educators and parents, and more than 10 states have replaced or rewritten the standards.