What is the Common Core?
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are educational goals that describe what students in a specific grade level should know and be able to do. These standards are referred to as “common” because they are shared across individual states, and are called “core” because they cover the central subject areas of English Language Arts and Mathematics.
How were the Common Core State Standards developed?
The development of the CCSS was led by a council of state governors and state education commissioners. The standards themselves were based on a scan of existing high-quality education standards from U.S. states and other nations, and were written with input from education experts, state leaders, teachers, school administrators, and parents. Each state had the option to adopt the new common standards, and as of 2014, 43 states have adopted the standards.
How will the Common Core affect my school or district?
While the CCSS are shared across states, each state individually determines the timeline and process for introducing the standards and helping teachers put them into practice. Each state and school district makes local decisions about the curriculum to use to teach the Common Core, how to track student progress toward the standards, and how to ensure that all teachers are prepared to teach lessons that align to the new standards.
The National PTA has published Guides for Student Success that provide parents and guardians with information on what skills and concepts students will be learning at each grade level, how to help support their children, and how to talk with teachers about the CCSS. The Guides are available for download here:
What is different about the Common Core State Standards?
The biggest difference of the Common Core is the fact that the goals for what students should learn in a particular grade are now consistent between most states. Additionally, these goals are focused on college and career readiness for all students, and are intended to be fewer, clearer, and to go into greater depth, rather than “a mile wide and an inch deep.” The standards also include changes in what students are expected to learn. More information on these major “shifts” can be found on the Common Core website:
The full text of the standards is available to read and review on the Common Core website: Many states and districts have also made information available on their individual websites. Teachers and other school staff can also provide more specific information on how the Common Core is being implemented in individual schools and classrooms.