Popular Home School Curricula and Common Core
By Kristen Chevrier
Reposted from http://homeschoolwise.com/2013/03/02/popular-home-school-curricula-and-common-core/
After learning that some very popular home school curricula have aligned their programs with Common Core, I decided to do some research. I will be keeping a running list of those who have and have not aligned with Common Core. I would appreciate your input.
After learning that some very popular home school curricula have aligned their programs with Common Core, I decided to do some research. I will be keeping a running list of those who have and have not aligned with Common Core. I would appreciate your input.
Having curricula that meet (or exceed) Common Core standards is not the same as aligning a program with Common Core. And having elements of Common Core in a program does not make it all bad. What is important in choosing any study materials is that you are aware of what your child is learning.
While we are on the topic of curricula: Many people come into home schooling thinking that they must have a completely planned curriculum and follow it exclusively. Not so. You have much more flexibility to address the needs and interests of individual children if you are willing be creative. While there are benefits to having a standard curriculum for the basics, it’s okay to create your own by picking and choosing materials from any source that suits your needs. Don’t get stuck in a box. Be flexible. Embrace your instincts. And actively choose to be your child’s guide.
Here is what I have found, so far:
Common Core-Aligned or Receiving Funding from Common Core Proponents:
Writing Road to Reading (Spalding)
Appear to be acknowledging where they align with CC, but not necessarily changing to align:
Singapore Math (Please see statement by Jeffrey Thomas, President and Co-Founder of Singapore Math in the comments below.)
Khan Academy (Khan Academy is funded by some of the same people who fund and promote Common Core, but the videos are pre-CC and not likely to be re-made to align with CC. )
Currently Not Aligned with Common Core:
This is not an exhaustive list. I will add to it as I find more information. Please feel free to give input.
If you are using one of the programs that has aligned with Common Core I encourage you to write to or call the publisher and let them know how you feel about it.
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Thank you, Kristen, for your helpful research.
COMMON CORE 
What about the Catholic Home school curriculum Seton? I talked with them a couple months ago and they had not intention of rewriting theirs at this time. Might want to recheck.
I use Saxon math for my oldest. It’s a bummer it has stepped into the abyss of no return.
MathUSee is listed above as changing their curriculum to CCSS. Because MathUSee has such an incredible track record for teaching math effectively on ALL grade levels, I wanted to see what their company had so say about their conforming to the CSS. I think that before a parent decides to eliminate MathUSee as a possible curriculum for their students they should at least read the rest of the story from the MathUSee perspective. They have not changed how they teach math concepts, nor the order in which they teach them. They only added what they need so that parents who are locked into using CCSS curriculum (because of their state laws) can still use MathUSee materials… that is all. Here is the link: http://www.mathusee.com/parents/whats-new-2013/math-u-see-and-the-common-core/
I absolutely agree with you, Melody. As I said in my post, the important thing is for you to be aware of what your child is learning from whatever curriculum you choose.
Debbie, is this the Seton program you’re asking about? http://seton.dorschools.org/K-6.cfm?subpage=877593 There is also a Seton Montessori program, when I called them they said that their program is for actual schools and also available online.
Kristen, the link is http://www.setonhome.org
This company provides catholic homeschool curriculum. This is the curriculum I have used in the past and still use some of their books today for doing certain subjects with my oldest who I homeschool now. They are the ones I called to see if they were changing any of their textbooks. The lady I talked with didn’t really know a whole lot about CCSS. One of the concerns I had was here in Florida we don’t have to take the states test to turn into the county for proof of progression of the student but we are allowed to use any states achievement test. I have used the CAT in the past. If California is opting for CCSS, then that test will change to represent the CCSS.
Here in Florida, we can have portfolio reviews and we don’t have to test our children and that is the route we choose. Check it out for yourself and let us know if you find out anything different. Thanks for the great information.
Is there anyone who can give me some pointers on getting homeschooling families involved with this? I know families have their hands full like I do trying to keep things in motion on a daily basis but I really want them to get engaged in this a little bit so they know what is going on. Just because they don’t have children in a public/private school, CCSS will still eventually affect them
I do not believe The Mystery of History or Answers in Genesis (science in particular) are aligned with CC – and I cannot imagine either (especially AiG) ever doing so. But I will check with them and get back to you. Is your “Excellence in Writing” notation to the Institute for Excellence in Writing – a.k.a. IEW – or to EIW, which is different?
Tina I’d like to know that too, IEW would have to dump almost all their program and start from scratch if they are lining up with CC…
I went to the IEW site and they do, indeed, have an article showing a chart about how they “align” with CC. My next question, though, is: Are they showing how what they have always done fits with CC or did they CHANGE what they do to match CC? I don’t like the pandering to CC at all (I am SO disappointed about Math-U-See, and I’ve written to them and they are saying they think it’s a good thing), but if they have not changed their materials at all, that is a bit different. However, any company that actively adjusts their program to fit CC…well, I really think I can’t support them anymore. I’m petrified, though, that I will have to stop using stuff we’ve really benefitted from in the past.
The page I went to says “While Institute for Excellence in Writing’s methods have been around since long before the 6+1® Traits and Common Core State Standards Initiative, this chart demonstrates how our methodology aligns with these standards.” So that says to me that hey we’ve done this for ages, here’s how we line up in case you need to know for your state standards… They have such an extensive line of products that I bet they’d line up with about any standards lol
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/schools/writingstandards
This is the company I was looking at. I agree that they look more like they are just pointing out where they match up. I added a new category, a couple of days ago, for groups like this in my post. You will also find updates on Singapore and others.
Kristen, thank you for helping bring this concern to the attention of the homeschooling community so it can be clarified through discussion, and individual families can come to a decision on how they would like to respond. You may find this post from IEW helpful: http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/blog/commoncore
If you want to see the updated list, please come over to my site. I’ve made several changes based on new information. I’ve been talking to publishers and have had several tips from readers on other programs. http://homeschoolwise.com/2013/03/02/popular-home-school-curricula-and-common-core/
I am using that list as a basis for sharing with others. I plan to contact the companies whose materials I use and ask pointed questions to seek clear positions from each. I will share what I learn…but I am just heart-sick thinking that I may have to lose some of the companies I use or plan to use later. I’ll do it, but I will grieve.
Please do share whatever you learn, Tina. Thank you.
Alpha Omega Lifepacs are not Common Core aligned and only a few of the computer based subjects used Common Core standards along with state standards so Alpha Omega does not belong on this list. This is what I read from Alpha Omega…..
I am very glad that you came to us to ask these questions. Until last week I was completely unaware that there were some negative attitudes regarding the Common Core in the homeschool community. I have seen a couple of different blogs and both have been misrepresenting Alpha Omega based on the information that they claim to have gathered.
I personally oversee all of the print-based curriculum published by AOP. To date, nothing has been changed in the print curriculum related to Common Core. The same is essential true of the Switched-On Schoolhouse and Monarch curriculum that is sold to the homeschool market. There are a few of the newer courses in the SOS/Monarch line where the Common Core standards were consulted along with other state standards in developing the scope and sequence. But apart from these couple of courses, nothing has been changed in the remainder of the curriculum related to Common Core.
For many years we have used state standards and other typical courses of study as a guide for developing the scope and sequence when we revise or create a new course. Our goal has been to develop quality education materials that are consistent with a Christian worldview. We use standards as a guide when they contribute to that goal. We have some courses where we list a correlation to different state standards. We have done this because many homeschoolers use the standards as a measuring stick of the quality of our materials. Needless to say, you can’t just pull a course out of thin air; something has to go into the determination of the topics and the skill level.
Finally, we have not received any funding from a Common Core proponent.
Since I am trying to track down these blogs so we can provide them with some accurate information I would greatly appreciate an email with the link(s) to what you have been reading. achristopherson@aop.com
Please let us know if you have any other questions. ^_^Al
I know you already have noted that RS states they generally exceed the common core with the 2nd edition – just thought it was worth also noting that although they rewrote the program, they didn’t rewrite it to match common core….. they were already rewriting it before Common Core came out. They just made sure the new edition meets it all (and exceeds it.) To me that is a big difference…. they didn’t rewrite to meet the common core, they just made sure they met the common core when they were finishing their rewrites. (well, it makes a difference to me…)
From the site…
The second edition, for which planning began several years ago (preceding the Common Core State Standards process), is updated to reflect new research, ideas, and applications that Dr. Joan A. Cotter has developed in recent years. It is a complete rewrite. RightStart™ Mathematics Second Edition does incorporates the CCSS as a base minimum and almost always exceeds these benchmarks.
You may be interested in these links from the Freedom Coalition:
http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org/2013/04/who-is-coincidentally-aligned.html
http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org/2013/04/who-is-explicitly-aligned.html
http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org/2013/04/who-is-not-aligned.html
BJU Press materials are not Common Core aligned. BJU Press has not changed any of its materials in order to be CCSS compliant. For the sake of our Christian-school customers, BJU Press has shown where its materials correlate with CCSS—meeting and often exceeding the standards.
As a publisher well-known for maintaining excellent academics, BJU Press continually reviews all educational standards, state and national. To be aware of trends in education is not to be compliant with them. We believe it is responsible scholarship. But if we would refuse to review them, it would diminish our ability not only to address errors in the standards but also to serve those who want to continue to use our superior materials while being required to adhere to CCSS.
Please be assured that biblical integration and academic excellence continue to be the true core of BJU Press, just as it always has been. We remember daily—and prayerfully—the great accountability under which we labor in supporting your children’s education.
I spoke with K12 about a month ago and had asked them if they were aligning with CCSS. The people I spoke with had no clue what I was talking about. Then, the one guy went and asked a supervisor, came back and said, “No, nobody has ever heard of it and since we are our own entity as a homeschooling program, we aren’t changing anything.” I found out a few days later that they WERE changing and their people just don’t know what they are talking about.
Veritas Press is not aligned. I have a very nice letter from them stating that they would not comply with CCSS. TEFC also states the same.
Actually, a much more complete list can be found on The Educational Freedom Coalition’s website: http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org
Every company on their list was contacted directly and given the chance to explain how their company has decided to react to the CCSS.
As for those companies who are claiming that they have just accidentally ended up aligning with the CCSS because their materials happen to exceed the standards, I would disagree.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ellen-gerwitz/accidentally-meeting-the-ccss-is-it-possible-or-not/10151605081308177
Excelerate SPANISH was not designed to meet CC (aka, “The Borg”) standards and will never conform. 🙂
Evan Moore is also aligned with common core. This is so frustrating to have to redesign my whole curriculum 😦
I have created a very extensive database, beginning in early March (and still continuing). It has more than 900 resources that homeschoolers might use and where they stand on the CCS. There are still MANY independent companies, and we should let them know we want them to stay that way by utilizing their products. Also, I have four lists…because it’s not black-and-white in several instances. Anyone can view the lists at http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org.
Thanks for all your continuous research in the homeschool world. I’m glad to see more homeschool parents getting engaged with this.
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As a homeschool publisher, I appreciate homeschoolers fighting common core. However it is important that everyone understand that no homeschool publisher has been contacted by the gov’t, or those who created CCS, or anyone else to align materials to meet CCS. And no homeschool publisher has received funding to align to CCS. The gov’t couldn’t care less what homeschool publishers are doing. This idea that homeschool publishers are being paid to meet CCS, or are even being contacted, is completed erroneous.
*completely erroneous
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Since many of the publishers listed in the initial list are NOT actually aligned or receiving funding from Common Core – I think your list should be updated. I understand you have links in the COMMENT section to a corrected list – but an initial viewing of your site gives very inaccurate information. As homeschoolers we are constantly striving to be accurate in what we teach our children – I believe our web-sites, blogs, lists of curriculum to “be concerned with” MUST be accurate as well. Thank you for giving additional information – however, THIS list needs to be changed.
Dear Jan,
I am happy to update. Can you be a little bit more specific about which companies are not aligned that you know of? I have not been studying this list since the day that I wrote that post, so I could definitely use your help updating the list. Thanks. 🙂
http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org/ Try this for an update. It was recommended to me by a friend today.
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I spoke with someone at Alpha Omega today and was told that they are definitely NOT aligning to CC. She said that their new marketing campaign is that they are “Uncommon”.
AOP put out a statement that said they are not aligned with Common Core, I’m confused now.
I have not updated or even further researched this since I wrote it. Please leave comments that may be helpful to others if you have information about which textbook companies are or are not aligned to Common Core. Thank you!!
I was under the impression that the Saxon Homeschool materials were NOT aligning. The newer editions used within the school system are. (They are put out by a different publisher). Google Art Reed and Saxon or check homeschoolwithSaxon.com for more info on which editions to use.
Forgive me if this has already been stated, but Horizons and the company that publishes them, Alpha Omega, will not be using the Common Core standards.
Thank you, Julia, for keeping us posted.
I think whoever put the list saying who is align with common core needs to read the publisher statement. Both Bob Jones and Alpha & Omega state that they are not changing due to common core, yet by excellence exceed the standards. They are not comprising with the world to see their materials. You need to update your list ASAP.
You may be interested in this website. She has spent the last few years researching thus and has a huge list. Just thought I’d pass this along:http://www.theeducationalfreedomcoalition.org/?m=1
BJU claims they are not common core aligned and that they have not changed their curriculum to meet common core standards, but that their curriculum already meets the cc standards. Which is true?
Millie, I work for BJU Press and want to help answer your question. BJU Press is not changing to align with Common Core nor are we receiving government funding. We have released a statement before explaining that if you were to compare our existing curriculum standards to the CCSS you would find that our curriculum in some cases meets or exceeds the CCSS. But our standards have not been altered to meet the CCSS. I hope that helps clear up any confusion about BJU Press. If you have further questions you are welcome to contact me at bjupinfo@bjupress.com.
Alpha omega is not aligned with common core. If you make a list for the public to see, please ensure the list is accurate before posting. This is a serious concern for people and to misrepresent a company in this way is not appropriate.
Thank God for you!! We’ve decided to home school our daughter starting next Sept. I’ve been going crazy trying to find books that are NOT following or aligning with Common Core, but haven’t been able to figure them out. Your list is the answer to my quest. I can’t wait to research these publishers & purchase the books we need to get started.
And, yes, I completely agree. Home schooling shouldn’t be all about book learning. Learning out in the real world has a greater, lasting impact.
Thank you so much!!
Alpha omega has a statement on their website saying they are in no way aligned with Common Core. They say that haven’t changed anything and that they plan on staying true to Christian curriculum that gives honor to God.