1. What are the
Common Core State Standards?
The Common Core State
Standards are a set of expectations that outline what students should be
learning in English/language arts and mathematics at each grade level (K-12).
2. What is the goal
of the CCSS?
The goal of the CCSS
is to make sure that all students are well prepared for college, technical
education, or the workplace after high school graduation.
3. Do the standards
tell teachers how to teach?
No. The CCSS do not
tell teachers how to teach; they simply outline the skills that all students
should master.
4. Are there
standards for science, social studies and other content areas?
No. At this time, the
CCSS do not address content areas other than reading/language arts and mathematics.
5. Why were the CCSS
created?
Currently, each
individual state has its own education standards, and there is little
consistency from one state to another.
6. Who wrote the
standards?
The CCSS were not
developed by the federal government, but by a group of educators and experts
coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
(NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
7. How will student
progress in meeting the standards be measured?
As of now, it is not
clear how students' progress toward meeting the standards will be measured or
assessed but it will be some type of test.
8. Are there special
instructions for English language learners?
No. The authors of
the CCSS provided guidelines for implementing the standards with English
language learners and with students receiving special education services.
9. Do the standards
include information about English language levels or proficiency?
One of the main
considerations regarding the use of the CCSS with English language learners
will be to align the new standards with existing English Language Proficiency
(ELP) standards.
10. Where can I learn
more?
http://www.corestandards.org/