I learned that our district is adopting Common Core for math next year. I'm a little concerned reading this thread that it is just the latest trend. I recall 5-6 years ago that everyone was switching to Investigations and Everyday Math. Now, "poof" those are out and CC is in. Don't get me wrong, I won't be sad to say good-bye to Investigations. I'm just worried that this is another stab in the dark with my kids as guinea pigs.
Welcome to the world of American edumacation. Remember whole language reading? Math problems with no right answer? Freeform writing (or whatever they called it) where correcting spelling and grammar mistakes would damage a child's precious self-esteem?
The US education system is based on a deeply flawed set of ideas. For example, schools and NCLB push the dogma that everyone can achieve age-grade level standards. When it becomes clear that some kids aren't achieving grade-level standards at the "correct" age, the problem must be the curriculum.
It couldn't possibly be that some kids need to work more slowly.
