By Alabama PIE President and USPIE Leadership Team Member Theresa Hubbard

In Alabama, Common Core has caused devastating results that cannot be denied.  In the early 2000’s, the state revamped its math and reading programs.  Committees were appointed that included state educators, teachers, and parents.  By the mid 2000’s new math standards and the “Alabama Reading Initiative” had been implemented.  The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results for 2011, showed marked improvement in both 4th and 8th graders math and reading scores.

A 2011 Alabama State Department of Education document touted:  “In 2011 Alabama moved from near last to 25th in the nation in overall grades and scores [Education Week assessment] … 12th in the nation for standards, assessments and accountability… data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed a historic gain of eight points in fourth grade Reading for Alabama public school students – the … highest gain ever in NAEP recorded history. Since then, Alabama has maintained its progress in NAEP assessments.” 

NAEP is a set of tests given every two years to a representative sample of students in all 50 states.  This is the national scorecard that compares the educational performance throughout the nation.

All indicators for Alabama in 2011 pointed to an upward trend in math and reading with confidence of continued success into the future.  Then with loud protests against it, Common Core math was introduced in 2012 and English in 2013.  Renowned educator Dr. Sandra Stotsky came to Alabama and advised the state “to continue with its standards upon which success was building instead of adopting the unproven and flawed common core regimen.”  Her recommendations fell on deaf ears.  By 2015 NAEP assessments results showed Alabama 4th and 8th graders Math scores the lowest of any state.  Only 26 percent of 4th graders and 17 percent of 8th graders were proficient in math.  These scores were consistent in every demographic across the state.  All peer groups scored lower than any other state in the nation.

The 2015 ACT report shows 16% of Alabama students meet the benchmark in all 4 subjects, down 5 points since 2014.  The results show 20% proficiency in Math after three years of Common Core and 62% proficiency in English after 2 years.  This cannot be explained away.

Common Core gets an “F” in Alabama.

United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE) is a parent-led education policy organization fighting to eliminate Common Core and ALL federal education mandates! Visit uspie.org and Join the Movement to Stop Fed Ed!

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