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Common Core State Standards

Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. In California, the State Board of Education decides on the standards for all students, from kindergarten through high school.

Since 2010, 45 states have adopted the same standards for English and math. These standards are called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Having the same standards helps all students get a good education, even if they change schools or move to a different state. Teachers, parents, and education experts designed the standards to prepare students for success in college and the workplace.

The California Department of Education helps schools make sure that all students are meeting the standards.

  • Below you will find information about the standards and the CCSS-related activities taking place in California.

The Standards

 

Implementation Plan

Approved on March 7, 2012, by the State Board of Education, the CCSS systems implementation plan is a living document that identifies major phases and activities in the implementation of the CCSS throughout California's educational system.

  • Common Core State Standards Systems Implementation – Significant Milestones Timeline
    An interactive timeline to help you learn more about the significant milestones in CCSS implementation. Includes information regarding the development of CCSS-aligned curriculum frameworks, English language development standards, career technical education standards, and assessments. Also includes information regarding the transition to a new assessment system and the review of CCSS-aligned supplemental instructional materials.
  • Appendix A: Local CCSS Systems Implementation Plan Template (DOC)
    Each of California’s local educational agencies should develop its own local plan for CCSS systems implementation based on local needs and resources. To facilitate the process of local plan development, this section of the document offers a template organized around the significant milestones of CCSS systems implementation.
  • CCSS Systems Implementation Guide NEW!
    This resource, designed to support local CCSS implementation, provides suggestions and resources organized by the seven guiding strategies of the CCSS Systems Implementation Plan for California.
  • Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
    Information about the new generation of assessments.
    • Sample Items and Performance Tasks External link opens in new window or tab.
      Smarter Balanced sample items illustrate the rigor and complexity of the English language arts/literacy and mathematics items and performance tasks students will encounter on the Consortium's next-generation assessments.
    • Practice Tests
      The Smarter Balanced Practice Tests are now available for grades three through eight and grade eleven in English-language arts and mathematics. The Practice Tests provide a preview of the Smarter Balanced assessments, but do not reflect the full range of content that students may encounter on the actual assessments.
  • Resources Listserv
    Join the CCSS Resources listserv and receive information and updates regarding the implementation of the CCSS.

Resources for Teachers

  • Grade Level Curriculum
    The grade-level curriculum documents are organized by individual grade levels and include information about the CCSS. There are also archived webinars for the kindergarten through grade six documents which highlight the curriculum across the featured grade level with special focus on the CCSS.
  • Professional Development Opportunities
    This site allows users to post and find in-person and online statewide professional learning opportunities sponsored by the CDE, county offices of education, local educational agencies, institutes of higher education, and State Board of Education-approved providers, as well as other not-for-profit agencies. Select the “Common Core Standards” topic on the search form to find current CCSS professional learning opportunities.
  • achievethecore.org External link opens in new window or tab.
    Free, high-quality resources compiled by Student Achievement Partners, writers of the CCSS, for educators implementing the CCSS, including professional learning modules, handouts, presentations, sample lessons, lesson videos, and much more.
  • CCSS Resource Clearinghouses
    Listed Web sites include continuously expanding collections of CCSS implementation resources. Since many of these sites are under development, users are advised to visit these sites often for the latest resources.
  • Expanded Learning Opportunities Publication External link opens in new window or tab.
    A brief by the CCSSO, Connecting High-Quality Expanded Learning Opportunities and the Common Core State Standards to Advance Student Success, that explores ways to strengthen expanded learning opportunities by building their connection to the CCSS.

Resources for Administrators

  • Professional Development Opportunities
    This site allows users to post and find in-person and online statewide professional learning opportunities sponsored by the CDE, county offices of education, local educational agencies, institutes of higher education, and State Board of Education-approved providers, as well as other not-for-profit agencies. Select the “Common Core Standards” topic on the search form to find current CCSS professional learning opportunities.
  • achievethecore.org External link opens in new window or tab.
    Free, high-quality resources compiled by Student Achievement Partners, writers of the CCSS, for educators implementing the CCSS, including professional learning modules, handouts, presentations, sample lessons, lesson videos, and much more.
    • Leadership Tools External link opens in new window or tab.
      Essential actions and tools for implementation in a school or district.
  • EQuIP External link opens in new window or tab.
    Educators Evaluating Quality Instructional Products (EQuIP) is a collaborative of American Diploma Project (ADP) Network states, convened by Achieve that are focused on increasing the supply of quality instructional materials that are aligned to the CCSS and available for instruction in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. On this Web site you will find the Tri-State Rubrics used in the EQuIP collaborative, and model lessons will be posted soon.
  • CCSS Resource Clearinghouses
    Listed Web sites include continuously expanding collections of CCSS implementation resources. Since many of these sites are under development, users are advised to visit these sites often for the latest resources.
  • Communications Toolkit External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
    Developed by the CCSSO, this toolkit contains common messages, tools, and frequently asked questions about the development of the CCSS.
  • PowerPoint Template External link opens in new window or tab. (PPT)
    PowerPoint presentation with general CCSS information that states can use, modify, and personalize.

Resources for Students, Parents, and Guardians

Information and resources about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for students, parents, and guardians.

  • Informational Handouts
    Informational flyers providing overviews and highlights of the CCSS, available in multiple languages.
  • K-8 California's Common Core Standards Parent Handbook
    This handbook, created by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) in consultation with the California State Parent Teacher Association (PTA), gives parents an introduction to California's CCSS and a summary of what students are expected to learn as they advance from kindergarten through grade eight. This document has been translated into 17 languages. The handbook and translations may be found on the CCSESA Common Core Standards Communication Tools Web page External link opens in new window or tab. under the General Overview Materials section.
  • Grade Level Curriculum
    The grade-level curriculum documents are organized by individual grade levels and include information about the CCSS. There are also archived webinars for the kindergarten through grade six documents which highlight the curriculum across the featured grade level with special focus on the CCSS.
  • Parents' Guide to Student Success External link opens in new window or tab.
    A guide, available in English and Spanish, for the CCSS in grades K-8 and two for grades 9-12 (one for English language arts/literacy and one for mathematics) created by the National PTA. The guide includes key items that children should be learning in each grade and activities parents can do at home to support their child's learning.
  • Council of Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps External link opens in new window or tab.
    The Council of Great City Schools has developed parent roadmaps for understanding the ELA and mathematics CCSS in kindergarten through eighth grade. For each grade and subject, the roadmaps explain to parents what children will be learning and how parents can support learning outside of the classroom.
  • Shifts for Students and Parents External link opens in new window or tab.
    EngageNY has created a practical guide that provides steps that parents can take to improve their child’s learning of the CCSS.

Resources for the Higher Education Community

  • CCSS and Higher Education (DOC)
    This handout includes information about transitioning to the CCSS for the higher education community.

Community Partners

Information and resources about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for local school board members, business leaders, and community partners.

  • CCSS and School Boards (DOC)
    This handout includes information about transitioning to the CCSS for local school boards.
  • Chamber of Commerce Smarter Balanced Flyer (PDF)
    This informational flyer was developed by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives in collaboration with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium to inform the business community about what the Smarter Balanced assessment system will mean for them.

 

Questions:   Common Core Systems Implementation Office | commoncoreteam@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0490