As a mother of a recent 4th grader who took the test this year, I can tell you that myself and most parents didn't care if they passed the exam or not. Common Core should be called Crap Core because that is exactly what it is. Creative solving problem is a joke and should not a substitute for memorization, especially when it comes to math. I have had to teach my child multiplication memorization myself because he is not being taught to memorize his time tables anymore. Instead he has to figure out (as in the case of 10x10) little columns of 10's etc. which takes longer and is just plain stupid. Basically, I am homeschooling him at the same time as having him in the public school system, which is what many parents like me have to do. Common Core will not prepare these kids for the real world - it is just dumbing them down.
I’m not familiar with common core, so I can’t comment on it, but a curriculum that focuses less on memorization of facts and more on problem solving skills is EXACTLY what is needed to prepare kids for the real world. Obviously, it can be taken too far; there are some facts that need to be learned (such as your example with multiplication tables). However, what need is there in the modern work force for a person whose main skill is the ability to memorize and produce factual information upon demand? Employers already have such a tool, and it’s much cheaper than an employee; it’s called google.
We need to prepare our children for the real world. In the real world, analysis, critical thinking, and problem solving are the skills employers need in their employees. Factual memorization beyond that needed to provide a basic understanding of a subject just is not the way to go.