Mediocrity 2.0: Massachusetts Rebrands Common Core ELA & Math. White Paper No. 174

In 2016 the state of Massachusetts began a process to end the confusing series of alterations to education by revising and aligning the state's academic standards and tests. In March 2017 the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved revisions to the state English language arts (ELA) and math standards. The purpose of this report is to answer two questions: (1) Are the latest revisions substantial or superficial?; and (2) Do the revisions signal a return to the quality of the pre-Common Core standards, or continue the trajectory of Common Core? These questions are addressed by recognized subject-matter experts. Dr. Mark Bauerlein (English) and Dr. R. James Milgram (math), both of whom have extensive knowledge of Common Core and of the pre-Common Core Massachusetts standards. Their answers, while not surprising, will disappoint the commonwealth's parents and other citizens who had hoped for a return to the glory days of Massachusetts education.