IN 2014, the Legislature voted to repeal Common Core academic standards in English and math and develop a replacement set of standards within two years. Supporters proclaimed the new state-developed standards would make Oklahoma a national leader. It hasn't worked out that way.

Instead, independent evaluators continue to find Oklahoma's standards are wanting, sometimes substantially so.

In a new report, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute examined Common Core standards and the standards of states that haven't adopted Common Core. It found Oklahoma's math standards are “weak” and require “significant revisions.” To cite just one problem, reviewers found “there are no explicit expectations for the instant recall of the addition and multiplication facts (e.g., 2+2=4)” among elementary students.

The reviewers concluded Oklahoma's math standards “amount to weaker preparation for college and the workplace ...”