Since it’s been implemented, 46 states have adopted Common Core State Standards. At least 22 of those states have experienced major challenges in implementing the federal government’s further encroachment on education. And for what? The American Institutes for Research set out to research the impact Common Core had on students in the state of Kentucky by analyzing ACT scores from three groups of students who moved through the state’s schools just before and after implementation. The results were less than stellar for Common Core. While the researchers were optimistic that the standards helped students, they were still skeptical because there was not a strong relationship between the implemented standards and rising ACT scores.

Jason Richwine writes at National Review, “In the end, the most the study’s authors are willing to conclude is that the transition to Common Core does not seem to have hurt Kentucky students. That’s not an insignificant finding, given the dire predictions made by some opponents. And Common Core supporters can argue that it’s too early to assess the effects of the new standards without allowing for an adequate adjustment period. Quite true. But both points illustrate that the state of knowledge on the standards is not nearly where it should be to justify such a swift and sweeping policy change.”

Well, at least we have some semblance of national standards, comrade.