Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards

Arizona is in the process of transitioning to new academic standards, also known as Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards (ACCRS) in all of its schools. Created by teachers and education experts, the new ACCRS will ensure our kids have the skills they need to compete in school and in their careers, not just in Arizona, but anywhere they choose to work, live and attend school.

What are academic standards?

Standards are what students need to know and be able to do at every grade level. How those standards are met is determined by the school district and individual teachers.

What are Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards?

Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards make it clear, for the first time, what all students need to know and do to be truly ready for college and career. These standards were created for English and Math by experts and teachers from 46 states, 2 US territories, and the District of Columbia. These standards are better than states’ current standards in three key ways:

  • They are focused. Students will have the opportunity to go deep in their knowledge of a particular subject and really focus on learning, rather than covering many topics at a shallow level.
  • They are equitable. The standards are the same for all children regardless of background or zip code because the standards have one goal – make students work and college ready.
  • They are rigorous. Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards are benchmarked against the highest performing countries in the world and built around what students need to know after the 12th grade for work, training and college.

What is the timeline for these standards?

Schools should be teaching to the new standards this year. The new assessments will used in 2014-2015. The class of 2023 will be the first class to have been taught the standards each year in school.

Why are these standards important for my child?

First, these new standards are an improvement to Arizona’s prior standards. You will see the type of work your child will be doing change, with more projects and discussions. Students will have to explain the “why” behind what they are doing, not just the “how”. These skills will help your child be a better student, and prepare them 21st century workplace and world. Because your child will now be held to the same, high expectations as students across the country, parents know that their child will have a legitimate opportunity compete with other students and workers across America, and indeed, the every growing pool of labor from other countries.

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