Gov. Chris Christie Calls For End To Common Core In New Jersey
PEMBERTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday called for an end to the Common Core standards in New Jersey, saying that the system isn't working for students in the state.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, the Common Core has been the target of criticism from many parents and teachers. And in remarks Thursday afternoon at Burlington County College, Christie said the national standards have brought confusion and frustration to parents and classrooms.
"It's now been five years since Common Core was adopted. And the truth is that it's simply not working," Christie said in remarks provided by his office. "It has brought only confusion and frustration to our parents. And has brought distance between our teachers and the communities where they work. Instead of solving problems in our classrooms, it is creating new ones. And when we aren't getting the job done for our children, we need to do something different."
Christie is also expected to ask the state's education commissioner to convene a group of parents, teachers and educators to come up with new state-specific education standards for him to consider.
"I have heard far too many people – teachers and parents from across the state – that the Common Core standards were not developed by New Jersey educators and parents. As a result, the buy in from both communities has not been what we need for maximum achievements. I agree," Christie said in remarks released ahead of his speech. "It is time to have standards that are even higher and come directly from our communities."
The Common Core program adopted issues national standards that outline skills every child needs to know at each grade level. New Jersey was one of the first states to introduce Common Core in 2010.
But Christie said instead of solving problems, the Common Core program is creating new ones. He said something needs to be done differently.
Christie is asking his state education commissioner to assemble a group of parents, students and teachers to be the driving force behind a new set of standards. They will consider whether they reflect the needs of the state, and the students.
Christie wants the review by the end of the year. He also renewed his call for student testing, and continuing New Jersey's teacher evaluation initiative.
Two years ago, Christie expressed support for the Common Core. But he has been gradually backing off support for the program.
"I want to return to New Jersey's leaders – our parents, our teachers, our administrators, our boards of education – control over the education our students receive, and to wrest it away from the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. who have now taken it over," Christie said Thursday.
Christie said he will announce next month whether he will run for president, but in the meantime he said it's time for new and even tougher standards developed in our communities, 1010 WINS Carol D'Auria reports.
As CBS2's Weijia Jiang reported, many found the curriculum confusing and fought against it.
"I am pleased. I think there's a lot of wasted time on Common Core," Ridgewood parent Bronwen Safai said.
In the past, Christie had supported the curriculum, and made New Jersey among the first states to adopt it.
Pundits say presidential ambitions could have Christie backtracking.
"This is absolutely cat nip for the Republican basin. Right now, job one for Chris Christie is to begin to reanimate his poll numbers in the Republican party," Political Pundit David Birdsell said.
Fort Lee parent and common core supporter, Erin McCoy questioned Christie's timing.
"If he believed it was a good thing previously he would really have to explain why suddenly he's feeling differently now," she said.
Christie said it's because he wants to focus on what students need. He asked the state's education commissioner to form a group of parents and teachers to develop new education guidelines.
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