Why Catholic schools are reconsidering Common Core

(The Christian Science Monitor) As more and more states are opting out of Common Core’s standardized testing, Roman Catholic schools around the country are reconsidering the rigorous learning goals as well—but for spiritual reasons.

According to surveys by the National Catholic Educational Association, about half of the 195 U.S. dioceses initially adopted the federally recommended Common Core standards. Emphasizing standardized testing and critical thinking development, Common Core is geared towards college preparation.

Although it’s not yet clear how many dioceses that have stopped using the standards or abstained from Common Core testing, national Catholic organizations are prompting educators to review their curriculum and purpose, posing the question, how could Catholic schools integrate religious tenets with the Common Core standards?