COMMON MISTAKES: The Wall Street Journal reports that schools nationwide are struggling without enough money to meet the deadlines to implement the Common Core. Districts are financially hamstrung by the cost of training, teaching materials and computers needed to support the standards. Some are in retreat. The Journal found that Common Core spending has surpassed $7 billion and it predicted that a great deal more money would be necessary to implement the standards consistently. States, however, aren't as eager as they once were.
Forty-five states initially adopted the Common Core standards in English and math; seven have since repealed or amended them. Large disparities in technology and training remain among the participating 38 states. Still others are in the process of revising them. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers and Smarter Balanced groups have seven and 15 participating states, respectively, each down from 46. The two groups were intended to develop common tests across the states.
One of the biggest challenges has been preparing districts, educators and students to take the tests on computers, which necessitates expensive upgrades. Many districts, both rural and urban, have given the tests only on paper so far because of the costs.
