Why the Common Core State Standards in California?

State Board of Education Discusses the Adoption of the CCSS and Hears Public Support

The two videos below are recordings from the August 2, 2010 State Board of Education (SBE) Meeting, Item 3, when the SBE discussed and ultimately, unanimously, adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to be the new mathematics and English language arts and literacy academic content standards for California. Various representatives of local educational agencies, nonprofits, and children advocate associations voiced their support of the standards during public comment. To view the meeting agenda and minutes, please visit the State Board Meeting - August 2010 Web page.

Part 1: SBE discussion and start of public comment.

Text transcript of Part 1

Part 2: End of public comment and SBE unanimous vote.

Text transcript of Part 2

What’s Cooking with Common Core in California?

This brief video explains what the transition to the CCSS means for California. This video was developed by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation in collaboration with the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California State PTA®, California School Boards Association, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers AFT/AFL-CIO, Association of California School Administrators, and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

Text transcript of What's Cooking with Common Core in California?

Transition to Assessments Based on Common Core State Standards in California

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson talks about California's transition to assessments based on the CCSS.

Text transcript of Transition to Assessments Based on Common Core State Standards in California

Council of Great City Schools Video

Provided by the Council of Great City Schools, this three-minute video explains how the CCSS will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond.

Text transcript of Council of the Great City Schools: Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards (PDF)

Spanish version of the Council of Great City Schools: Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards

Institutions of Higher Education Voice Their Support

Letter from UC, CSU, CCC, and AICCU Leaders
In this letter to the State Board of Education, leaders of the University of California system, the California State University system, the California Community Colleges, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities outline their endorsement of the CCSS and their support for continuous collaboration between K–12 and higher education.

Higher Education for Higher Standards
Higher Education for Higher Standards is a growing coalition of college and university leaders who believe college- and career-ready standards, including the CCSS, are critical to improving student success.

“Use the Common Core. Use it Widely. Use it Well.”
In this article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 10, 2014, co-authored by Timothy P. White, Chancellor of the California State University system, White and other chancellors explain their support for the CCSS.

California Nonprofits, Children Advocates, and Businesses Voice Their Support

Preparing Students to be College and Career Ready (PDF)
In this document, three hundred California educational organizations, nonprofit organizations, children advocate organizations, and business advocates voice their support for the CCSS in California.

Communications Resources

“Explaining the Common Core to Californians: A Communications Toolkit”
This toolkit is a collection of research, recommendations, and sample communications designed to help educators increase the public understanding of the kinds of instruction, testing, and support needed to fulfill the potential of the CCSS.

CAASPP Communications Toolkit
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Communications Toolkit is a link to Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment resources, including communications and key informational documents to inform schools, families, and community representatives about online summative testing.