Common Core State 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 Plan for California (DOC; 9MB; Revised 11-Oct-2012) | PDF (Revised 11-Oct-2012)

• 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.

• Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
  Information about the new generation of assessments.
  • Sample Items and Performance Tasks
    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.

• Frequently Asked Questions (Revised 13-Sep-2012)

• Resources Listserv
  Join the CCSS Resources listserv and receive information and updates regarding the implementation of the CCSS.

Resources for Teachers

• Resources for Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Literacy

• CCSS Professional Learning Module Web Page (New 26-Sep-2012)
  Information and links to the CCSS professional learning modules.

• 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 (New 15-Nov-2012)
  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.
  

• Achieve the Core Professional Development Modules
  These flexible, ready-to-use modules were developed to support educators in the understanding and effective implementation of the CCSS.
  • Introductory Webinar
    This module provides an overview of the professional development modules in this collection. Plugin installation may be required.

• 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.

• CCSS Presentations and Webinars
  Presentations and webinars to support the implementation of the CCSS.

• Alignment of the Preschool Learning Foundations
  This online publication shows the connections that the nine domains of the preschool learning foundations have with the content of the various sets of standards, including the CCSS.

• Expanded Learning Opportunities Publication
  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

• Resources for Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Literacy

• Communications Toolkit for California (DOC; 2 MB; New 9-Oct-2012)
  The CCSS Systems Implementation Communications Toolkit for California is designed to help local educational agencies with the important task of informing and engaging school communities about what the CCSS will mean for them.
  • Available Translations of Parent Brochures from the Communications Toolkit for California

• California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA)
  This site offers communication tools to help disseminate information about the CCSS. Information includes PowerPoint presentations about the CCSS for mathematics and English language arts (ELA), a general overview, and information about international benchmarking of standards.

• California County Offices of Education (DOC)
  Contact information for county leads for the CCSS in ELA and mathematics in California's county offices of education.

• Professional Development Opportunities (New 15-Nov-2012)
  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.

• Achieve the Core Professional Development Modules
  These flexible, ready-to-use modules were developed to support educators in the understanding and effective implementation of the CCSS.
  • Achieve the Core Instructional Leadership Module
    This 1.5–4 hour module is designed to guide and support principals, content supervisors, central office leaders, and coaches in the work of planning and carrying out the implementation of the CCSS.

• 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.

• Common Core State Standards: Implementation Tools and Resources (PDF)
  A list of tools and resources, primarily developed by the CCSSO and the lead writers of the standards, to point states to promising practices and tools to support CCSS implementation.

• Communications Toolkit (PDF)
  Developed by the CCSSO, this toolkit contains common messages, tools, and frequently asked questions about the development of the CCSS.

• PowerPoint Template (PPT)
  PowerPoint presentation with general CCSS information that states can use, modify, and personalize.

• Spotlight on the Common Core State Standards – What Do District Administrators Need to Know?
  Brief by Education Northwest reviews actions district administrators should consider taking now to prepare their schools for CCSS implementation.

• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Common Core Resources
  NASSP has compiled a number of resources to help school leaders as they work to meet the challenge of implementing the CCSS.

• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Common Core State Standards Resources
  A list of implementation resources, including items specifically for elementary school principals, compiled by the NAESP.

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 five languages.

• CCSS and Parents and Guardians (DOC; New 14-Nov-2012)
  This handout includes information about transitioning to the CCSS for parents and guardians.
  • Available translations of the CCSS and Parents and Guardians handout

• K-8 California's Common Core Standards Parent Handbook (DOC; 2MB)
  This handbook, created by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association 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.
  • Spanish Translation of the K-8 California’s Common Core Standards Parent Handbook (DOC; 3MB) |
    PDF

• Parents' Guide to Student Success
  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
  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
  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

• Resources for Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Literacy

• CCSS and Higher Education (DOC; New 16-Oct-2012)
  This handout includes information about transitioning to the CCSS for the higher education community.

• Implementing the Common Core State Standards: An Action Agenda for Higher Education (PDF)
  Issue brief prepared by Achieve, the American Council on Education, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers.

• The Common Core Standards and Teacher Preparation: The Role of Higher Education (PDF)
  Discussion paper by The Leadership Collaborative, part of the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative, an initiative of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

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; New 16-Oct-2012)
  This handout includes information about transitioning to the CCSS for local school boards.

• CCSS and Business and Community Leaders (DOC; New 16-Oct-2012)
  This handout includes information about transitioning to the CCSS for business and community leaders.

• State Board of Education CCSS Meeting Agenda Items
  Agenda items addressed by the State Board of Education (SBE) regarding the implementation of the CCSS.

• A New Foundation for Student Success
  This video, commissioned by the Hunt Institute and the Council of Chief State School Officers, provides an introduction to the CCSS, including a brief history. This video is part of the Common Core Implementation Video Series .