As Americans Chafe at Standardized Testing, Common Core Flies Under the Radar

The national curriculum standard is virtually unknown

A majority of Americans have never heard of the Common Core State Standards and dissatisfaction with standardized testing in schools is growing, according to a survey released Wednesday.

The Common Core, which was voluntarily adopted by all but a handful of states, consists of English and math standards establishing what children should learn each year from kindergarten through 12th grade. The standards were intended to ensure students graduate from high school prepared to enter college or begin careers, as well as to provide some uniformity in education among the states.