They just implemented common core in my state (Alabama). I spoke to an administrator and at the end of the day I pulled my daughter out of the public education system and moved her to private school.
Common core is educating to the least common denominator education. They have multiple plans to deal with students with difficulties, but they have nothing to deal with overachieving students. That was the final nail in the coffin for us.
I don’t support it because it is a gross infringements on the individual state’s duty to educate, and it will inevitably lead to federal intrusion.
That said, it isn’t lowest common denominator education, it is fairly rigorous, and I’d be surprised if it wasn’t more rigorous than what was in place in Alabama. It may not have plans for over achievers, but nor does it preclude them.
We did the same thing. My wife went to the parent’s night for my son’s first grade class. The teacher was completely spacey and was teaching nothing. When she asked to see textbooks, they were horrible and with Common Core stamped on them.
We had a meeting with the Principal and VP the next day. After the Principal admitted that public school is no place for gifted children, that was his last day at the school. And this is a blue ribbon, 4 star school.
Now our boy is spelling and reading chapter books every day, learning higher level math, playing football on Saturday and learning Chinese on Sunday.