MA Students' Reading, Math Scores Dropped With Common Core: Study

BOSTON —Reading and math scores for Massachusetts students have dropped significantly since the state implemented common core standards in 2013, according to a Pioneer Institute study released Monday.

The drop in Massachusetts, which was one of seven states highlighted in the study, reflect national trends. States began implementing the federal Common Core English and math curriculum standards six years ago. The standards were promoted as improving the international competitiveness of U.S. students in math.

The study also showed that the biggest declines were among the lowest-achieving students.

"The sustained decline we’re now seeing, especially among our most vulnerable students, simply cannot be allowed to continue," study author Theodor Rebarber said. The Pioneer Institute is a Boston-based, free market think tank that has long been critical of Common Core.

Massachusetts’s state board of education adopted Common Core on July 21, 2010, and implemented Common Core in classrooms starting in fall of 2013

"Nearly a decade after states adopted Common Core, the empirical evidence makes it clear that these national standards have yielded underwhelming results for students," said Pioneer Executive Director Jim Stergios. "The proponents of this expensive, legally questionable policy initiative have much to answer for."

Read the full study.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).