The theory behind the Common Core certainly has some justification and certainly makes sense at some levels. The application of the theories is all but impossible to consistently replicate. We have a generation of students who have been taught that their feelings and preferences and opinions are just as valid as those of those in positions of authority or those in positions of instruction. We have, as a society, promulgated these attitudes and have accelerated the downward spiral of societal responsibility in general and education in particular.

What comes out of this type of instruction is the notion that 11 is just as good an answer as 12 because I am just as important a human as you are and my opinion is to be respected as much as yours. Furthermore, my values as to the importance of knowing whether the answer is 11 or 12 are every bit as important as your values.

As you no doubt have surmised, I basically ignore these types of guidelines. My attitude would be that I have knowledge to impart. You are welcome to take my information and accept it or reject it as useless if you wish. But, do this after you have left my tutelage. If you can successfully follow my guidelines to pass my math class, then you are practicing the skills (social and academic) which will be required for you to be successful in the workforce.