“In fact, a major critique of the controversial Common Core is that its push towards standardization leads schools towards the older, obsolete model of schooling. Establishing across the board curricular standards inevitably compels teachers to “teach for the test,” an impulse which quite clearly runs in opposition to the goals of critical thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.”

The common core is actually a push toward more critical thinking, problem solving, and a more coherent and connected education system. Standards are necessary for the education system to function coherently as a whole. Without the framework of standards, each teacher must decide what to teach without knowing what was taught in prior years or what will be taught in future years. And there would be no systemic means for connecting what is taught in K-12 to what is expected in college. A child who moves frequently would have no hope of obtaining a coherent education because every teacher is doing his or her own thing.

Tests and standards do not force us to teach to the test. They are simply a measurement and organizational tool. If we want to lose weight we can go on a crash diet or we can actually eat better and exercise. If we want to improve educational outcomes we can teach to the test, or we can actually make thoughtful and systematic improvements to instruction and curriculum. Just like the scale, the test does not force us to go one way or the other. We as educators have to choose whether we are going for long term educational improvements or short term gains that will cause problems later.