Not trolling - just trying to lay out both sides a little more evenly. Many people oppose Common Core for the wrong reasons.

I’m one of those who believe local standards should be implemented, because not every teacher understands the developmental research behind the standards, and that research is vital to understanding students and their progress. I do not agree with Common Core, however, because it has failed many of the states that have adopted it. In my student teaching, I’ve seen teachers who just read off a literal script for their lessons, and others who pour their hearts into it. Furthermore, in my experience, building an individual lesson plan with a standard and goal already in mind often makes it easier for me to understand where students should be at. This doesn’t mean it’s for every teacher, however, and I understand that.

The problem is in the implementation of Common Core, and how districts and schools have handled it, as well. Teachers need creativity to thrive, and it can be difficult to build a personal lesson around standards. Some teachers just want to meet the bare minimum of the standard and call it a day. It doesn’t help that there is a huge shortage of teachers where I live (one of the worst states for education) and competition for teachers between school districts is basically moot - my state requires SIGNIFICANT reform, not just an overhaul of Common Core.

So I agree and disagree - in an idealistic world, we would have local standards, teachers would be treated better, and we would have less testing. Standards would be realistically paced, with wiggle room for teachers to create and invent their own classroom practices. Practically, Common Core is failing the states who have adopted it, and we are failing our students. However, CC isn’t the master villain here. There’s a million factors causing our education system to fail.

Keep in mind that I'm biased though - I am on track to be an elementary teacher.