Pat Bicknell: Common Core takes students in wrong direction

When programs like Common Core are imposed on public schools, the differences related to education make an already bad situation worse. James Milgram, a retired math professor at Stanford University, was a member of the Common Core Validation committee but did not sign off on the math standards. Here are some of his reasons:

By the end of seventh grade, core standards are roughly two years behind. He states that Common Core does not require proficiency with addition and subtraction until grade 4; and does not require proficiency with multiplication using a logical step-by-step procedure for solving a mathematical problems until grade 5; it does not require proficiency with division using the standard algorithm until grade 6; Common Core starts teaching decimals in grade 4. It fails to teach key concepts in K-7; it fails to teach prime factors. Algebra 1 is missing components needed for algebra II and calculus; algebra II is missing key topics for calculus and geometry. Some key topics are also missing for more advanced students wishing to major in any technical area.

Common Core state standards lowers the bar; it does not raise it.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Pat Bicknell: Common Core takes students in wrong direction."