Common Core State Standards

By: Angel BurrowCommon Core State StandardsWords That Describe CCSSRigorousCoherentMeasureableState-LedClearSpecificEvidence-BasedStandards for K-12English/Language Arts Mathematics Focus more on the learning expectations & less on how it is achievedInternationally benchmarkedDoes not tell how to teach, but merely what to teachWhat Is It Exactly?45 states (not included: AK, NE, MN, TX, VA)GuamU.S. Virgin IslandsDistrict of ColumbiaAmerican Samoa IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsWho Has Adopted It?Why Now?World wide competitionContinuity from state to stateCollege & career readinessProvides clear, focused guidepostsConsistent expectations from city to city & state to stateHelps to prepare students for college & workWhy?Why Should We Do It?Four strands ReadingWritingSpeaking & ListeningLanguage

English Language Arts3 main sectionsK-5 (cross-disciplinary) 6-12 English Language Arts6-12 in History/Social Studies, Science, & Technical Subjects 3 appendices A: research & evidence; key termsB: reading text exemplars; sample performance tasksC: annotated student writing samples

English Language ArtsEnglish K-5 Organization

English & Social Studies 6-12 Organization

K-8 is divided into grade levelsOrganized into domains that are built upon each year2-4 focal points per gradeHigh school is divided by themes (Number/Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Modeling, Geometry, & Statistics/Probability) MathematicsOverview PageThere will be one of these per grade

Focal Points PageThere will also be focal points laid out for each grade

Content standardsDefine what students should understand/be able to doClusters Groups of related standardsDomainsLarger group of clusters that progress across gradesMathematics Design & Organization

What are educational standardsHow will these standards impact teachers?Were teachers involved in the creation of the standards? Will the Common Core Standards be updated?Whos leading the Common Core State Standards Initiative? How do states adopt the common core state standards?Will common assessments be developed?

These & other questions are answered at http://www.corestandards.org/frequently-asked-questionsFAQPut aside the resources, tools, & time to develop the standards in your classroomGet instructional materials that coincide with the standardsHave need assessments to measure student progressMake sure federal, state, & district policies are reexamined in support of the standardsAs An Educator, What Can You Do?The Promise Of StandardsIn conclusion, the Common Core State Standards website explains.. These Standards are not intended to be new names for old ways of doing business. They are a call to take the next step. It is time for states to work together to build on lessons learned from two decades of standard based reforms. It is time to recognize that standards are not just promises to our children, but promises we intend to keep.

Other Resources

Visit the Common Core State Standards website at http://www.corestandards.org/