Comparing Math Standards – Common Core, Connecticut and Massachusetts

A new report (by me!) compares the Grade 3 Math Standards for Numbers and Operations, Patterns and Algebra for the Common Core, Connecticut and Massachusetts and reaches the following conclusions:

1. Connecticut’s standards are not sufficiently challenging.

2. Massachusetts’ standards are the “gold standard” for states, and make it clear why Massachusetts students consistently rank first in national comparisons.

3. The Common Core Standards are difficult to understand and challenging to teach.

4. Using high-stakes testing to evaluate third grade teachers on their performance in the first year of implementation of these standards is grossly unfair.