Having been tutoring my 11 year old niece I can tell you that without help from college educated relatives, most underprivileged kids are doomed. At least with the old learning by memorization every kid had a chance.
I think the educrats shot themselves in the foot.
Not necessarily. I expect the testing results to be abysmal using CC. However, the educrats and the textbook and testing companies will take it as evidence that more money must be spent. The bad news is actually good news, if spun in an effective manner and if conservative don't raise holy hell.