Baker criticizes Patrick on education standards

Adopting the Common Core, which sets national standards for what should be taught in English and math from kindergarten through 12th grade, would mean changes to the state's standardized testing system, MCAS -- changes Baker and his supporters criticized as unnecessary.

"For all that needs to be done to fix Massachusetts, education is what works and we should keep it that way," Baker said at a press conference this morning in front of East Boston High School.

Christine Hezzey, whose son is a junior at Ipswich High School, agreed, expressing her reluctance to adopt a different system.

"I don't see the point of doing this," Hezzey said. "Why reinvent the wheel?"

Over the past week, Patrick's campaign has defended its decision to support the Common Core, and in turn, accused Patrick's opponents of politicizing K-12 education policy.

The new national standards emphasize mastering math skills at a younger age and stress nonfiction reading and expository writing over literature and creative writing.

The Obama administration's efforts to create a uniform standard aim to address the achievement gap among states with varying educational standards. Responding to fears that the national guidelines will be less rigorous than those in Massachusetts, the Patrick administration has affirmed its commitment to maintaining the state's standards, Patrick campaign spokesman Alex Goldstein said.

"Governor Patrick has been crystal clear that Massachusetts will not agree to the national standards unless they are as high or higher than our current standards," Goldstein said.