Controversy and the Common Core. A Book Review of Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy

Authors

Courtney L. Gilday, University of CincinnatiFollow

Abstract

For a decade, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have been no stranger to controversy. Tangled in the discourse have been numerous scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and community members. Many of those in favor of the Common Core argue that national standards provide a foundation on which to build equitable opportunities for student success, while those opposed say that they disempower autonomy of local schools, community members, parents, and students themselves. In Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy, Tampio (2018) highlights how national standards create barriers for students to operate as citizens in a democratic society. He advocates for a return to localized power and control, which he admits may not be a silver bullet to solve the country’s education afflictions but does reflect a governing system that is equitable, democratic, and reflective of the talents and interests of individual students and communities.

Recommended Citation

Gilday, C. L. (2020). Controversy and the Common Core. A Book Review of Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy. Democracy and Education, 28 (1), Article 12.
Available at: https://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol28/iss1/12