The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The Standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative is a state-led effort to establish a shared set of clear educational standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. These Standards have been created by the best available evidence and the highest state standards across the country and globe.
Why A Common Core?
1. Common Standards will help ensure students are receiving a high-quality education consistently from school to school and state to state.
2. We need college and career-ready standards. Data shows that, even in high-performing states, students are graduating and passing all the required tests, but still require remediation in their post-secondary work.
3. We need students prepared to move from our colleges and universities into the workplace and ready to compete in the emerging global marketplace.
How Was the Common Core Developed?
The development of the Standards was coordinated by the National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, researchers, and experts. These designers made careful use of a large and growing body of evidence that included scholarly research; surveys on what skills are required of students entering college and workforce training programs; assessment data identifying college and career-ready performance; and comparisons to standards from high-performing states and nations.
Strengths of the New Common Core
1. Aligned with expectations for College and Career Readiness
2. Developed to provide consistency from state to state
3. Included both content and application of knowledge through high-order skills
4. Designed to address the math skills needed by students to succeed in the global economy and society.
What is the Timeline for the Implementation of the Common Core Standards?
From 2011-2014, the Common Core State Standards for Math and English Language Arts (ELA) will be implemented in different stages including pilot assessments. By the 2014-2015 school year, the Math and ELA Common Core State Standards will be fully implemented and operational with accompanying Adaptive Assessments.
Assessments
1. Operational Adaptive Assessments will be implemented in 2014‐2015 to correspond with the Common Core State Standards.
2. The USOE staff is continuing to work on a transition plan from CRT's to the new pilot testing scheduled for 2013-2014.
