Common Core
The Common Core lays out what students should know in English and math and was intended to transform American education. But as the standards have rolled out in more than 40 states, they’ve sparked controversy. Our coverage goes beyond politics to show how the standards are affecting kids and impacting learning. See all our Special Reports
New York’s upstate cities have some of the worst schools in the country
Is it fair to compare them to New York City?
Can Common Core reading tests ever be fair?
The dilemma of new reading standards meant to push kids to their limits
Where special education students are succeeding under Common Core
What one Brooklyn school is doing differently to help its students pass the tests
COLUMN: Is it better to teach pure math instead of applied math?
OECD study of 64 countries and regions finds significant rich-poor divide on math instruction
Elementary school teachers struggle with Common Core math standards
Here’s how some education programs are trying to help
Massachusetts once had the best state test in the country. Will it again?
ARLINGTON, Mass.—As rain poured outside on the chilly evening of February 24, a group of Arlington elementary school parents was imagining a sunnier place — Dorothy’s trip down the yellow brick road.…
The 7 steps to making a statewide test
An exclusive peek at the workings of the group responsible for the Massachusetts exam
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How one innovative school district has closed gaps on harder Common Core tests
In this California district, poor black students outpace their more affluent peers across the state
How little is too little money for schools?
Kansas City, Kansas, saw amazing gains, then lost $50 million, and now they’re trying to keep up reforms on a shoestring
A state embraces the idea that not everyone needs to go to college
In Kentucky, schools win points for getting kids ready for careers