The answer to my questions is no, but I skim too fast. I see that instruction in exponents in the Common Core took a huge shift toward relevance instead of (xy)^2z^3(x^2)y. That makes perfect sense!
I am still struggling with this standard. Mostly with the financial context. From the example in the standard raising 1.15^(1/12) reveals a very similar rate as using the compounding formula, (1+ .15/12). When is it more appropriate to use one over the other? Is one more right from a financial aspect? Is this in the APY vs. APR category? I may be over thinking it, but it seems like a tough difference to assess.