The theory of change for standards - based reform in general (and Common Core in particular) is quite clear. (jaypgreene.com)
In short, the vision of standards - based reform as laid out by its earliest advocates has not been realized. (c-sail.org)
The standards - based reform movement actually began in the 1980s as a reaction to the «minimum competency» movement in the 1970s that had emphasized basic skills. (ascd.org)