By: Owen Corey
Since 2011, Washington State has followed the Common Core Standards in math and English Language Arts (ELA). These standards focus on helping students:
- Read and write effectively for many audiences
- Understand math, civics, history, and science
- Think critically and creatively with technology
- Gain skills needed for work after school
The Problem: Stagnant Scores and Declining Rankings
Despite good intentions, Common Core hasn’t delivered the results Washington parents want. In 2025, the state ranked 27th out of 50 for student proficiency in math and reading — down from 20th in 2015.
- 66% of 4th graders aren’t reading at grade level
- 70% of 8th graders struggle with math proficiency
While COVID-19 disruptions worsened these trends, the decline started years ago and is due to several challenges including tough standards and uneven support for students.
Why Should Parents Care?
These low scores mean many children aren’t getting the education they deserve, putting their futures at risk. Parents need to know what’s behind this and what can be done.
Solutions to Turn Things Around:
- Adopt Archimedes Standards for Math
Freedom in Education recommends replacing Common Core math with Archimedes Standards. This approach blends solid math knowledge with real-world application — helping every student keep up and succeed. - Support the Good Book Drive to Boost Reading
Reading scores can improve by giving students better access to books they love. The Good Book Drive works to provide quality books to kids everywhere, combating learning loss and making reading fun and accessible — no matter their background.
Parents, your voice matters. Understanding these issues and supporting better policies can help ensure Washington’s children get the education they need to thrive.
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