An Ohio father wrote a gag check to his son's school using the Common Core method of addition and the post went viral, igniting the debate over Common Core and why many parents don't like it. 

Doug Hermann posted a gag check using the Common Core way to solve addition by breaking down numbers into tens and ones in small boxes with the caption "You figure it out."

The post has since been shared more than 26,000 times at the time of this article, evidence that Hermann is not nearly alone in his frustration for the new ways Common Core require students to solve math problems.

Though supporters of Common Core believe the standard's requirement of students to know multiple ways to solve problems helps them understand math in a more comprehensive way, many parents who are unfamiliar with the new methods feel unable to help their children.

In fact, parents can easily be said to be the number one opponent of Common Core standards; Yahoo News reports that one in three parents are confused by their child's homework under Common Core.

According to The Christian Science Monitor, "Melissa Palermo, fourth-grade teacher in New Rochester, New York, told the Washington Post last year that her students are definitely improving because of Common Core standards. The problem, she says, is the parents."

Parents just like Hermann, who told ABC News he's received an influx of positive comments and support from parents who can relate in their frustration.

For parents who feel stressed about the standards that the majority of states have adopted and implemented, Lisa Cavallaro for The Huffington Post has six simple steps to reduce Common Core anxiety that could provide some relief.

First, Cavallaro suggests getting rid of the mentality that Common Core has to go and instead adopting a "I've got this!" mentality to best help children master the skills.

Her biggest suggestion is to avoid "Common Core gossip" as well as persuasive negative information flooding the media.

"Put a positive spin on the tests. Whether or not you believe the tests are good for education, the fact is that they are intended to be helpful. Whenever you think about the tests, think about how the people who created Common Core really want to help kids and improve education. Keep your spin positive and steer clear of the rest," she said.

Readthe rest of the tips here.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

09/24/2015