In the Washington Post article: “Common Core test doesn't give students time to think,” Valerie Strauss and Travis Durfee (2014) link Common Core State Testing with a story about testing Travis' first time driving with his father. Common Core State tests are just as damaging as being told to drive a manual transmission without any prior knowledge. Travis Durfee (2014) describes how Common Core state test standards are in urgent need of improvement. This is important because students are affected mentally and emotionally by these tests with stress and sadness affecting their overall health. This article describes Strauss and Durfee's (2014) argument and highlights its relevance with the content of Ed124. Why do Common Core state standards need improvement? State Common Core test results are often attributed to teachers and parents when their students do not reach an advanced level. However, Strauss and Durfee (2014) suggest that it is the requirements set by states that are the result of student scores. Students reach high stress levels due to spending time answering too many questions. The article suggests that with the revised standards, students would be able to succeed and achieve higher goals. Strauss and Durfee (2014) describe three examples to support their thesis. First, the authors suggest that state Common Core tests test students' basic skills and abilities (Strauss and Durfee, 2014). Students who have more knowledge about language arts, mathematics, and vocabulary are generally students who have attended higher education schools. It is proven that they perform better due to their SES. Therefore, the standards set by states do not accept... half of paper ......(2014) the argument about how testing can cause stress to students that can lead to health problems. In conclusion, this paper establishes and evaluates the key arguments made by Strauss and Durfee in their 2014 article published in the Washington Post. The authors provide evidence showing that the Common Core standards need to be revised. Their argument demonstrated the inequality of income and educational opportunities seen in the world today. It is clear that students learn differently, but with equal opportunities, students of lower SES may have the opportunity to succeed. References Karp, Stan. "The Problems with the Common Core". The problems with the common core. Rethinking Schools, 20 September 2013. Web. 04 May 2014.Strauss, V. (2014, 7 April). Common core tests don't give students time to think. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/