Background
California was one of 48 states that joined the national initiative to develop shared educational standards. Participating states worked together to draft common English-language arts and mathematics standards. Since 2010, 45 states have adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English and math – including California.
Quick Links
Video: Common Core Standards | Dec 2012
This 3-minute video explains how the Common Core State Standards will help students achieve at high levels. From the Council of Great City Schools. Also in Spanish.
Common Core Standards | Feb 2011
This publication provides background information about the common core standards and highlights key components of the new language arts and math standards.
Reading, Writing & the Common Core | Nov-Dec 2011
This publication takes a closer look at the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, including their relationship to literacy learning across the curriculum.
The Common Core State Standards were written in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts with a goal of providing a clear and consistent framework for preparing students for college and the workforce, regardless of where they live. They are informed by knowledge gained through many years of implementing standards-based programs in California, across the United States, and around the world.
The Common Core State Standards define the knowledge and skills students should acquire in K-12 education so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. They were reversed-engineered from college and career standards and represent 21st century skills. The standards:
- Are clear, understandable, and consistent
- Are evidence-based
- Are aligned with college and work expectations
- Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order skills
- Build on the strengths and lessons of our existing state standards
- Are informed by other top-performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in the global economy and society
In adopting these new standards, California combined the nationally-developed core standards with some state-specific supporting standards. The goal of supplementing the national standards was to maintain the unique strength and character of our existing state system, which is generally thought to include some of the most rigorous academic standards in the country.
The adoption and implementation of new standards also requires changes to the state’s assessment instrument. California joined a federally-funded assessment consortium, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which is designing “next generation” assessments linked to the Common Core State Standards.
