Understanding the
Common Core State
Standards
The education landscape is shifting and your child
will need different skills to be poised for success
The US economy and our education system are directly linked
U.S. workers lack the education and skills needed to compete successfully
in the U.S. economy.
• By 2020, 80% of jobs will require post-secondary education
• 53% of business leaders reported difficulties in recruiting employees with the
needed skills, technical training, and education;1
• The U.S. now ranks 12th out of 36 OECD countries in the number of 25-34
year-olds with a college degree;2
• By 2018 there will be 3 million fewer college graduates than required by the
labor market.3
The recent U.S. economic downturn will only worsen if the
deficit of high-skilled, educated workers continues.
How can we improve the U.S education
and economic situation?
Common,
globally
competitive
academic
standards will
strengthen the
knowledge and
skill set of U.S
students.
Students
will leave school
fully prepared to
engage in
college and the
workforce.
A high-skilled and
educated
workforce will
increase U.S
economic
competitiveness
on the local and
national level.
The Common Core State Standards are an effort to ensure that all U.S students
receive the quality education needed to succeed in future endeavors.
What are the Common Core State Standards?
•
The Common Core State Standards Initiative (the “Standards”) is a state-led effort coordinated by the
National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
www.corestandards.org
•
The Standards are benchmarked to those of the most highly competitive nations globally
•
As of January 2012, forty-six states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Common Core
State Standards (CCSS), a consistent set of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics expectations
for grades K-12 that students need to meet to succeed in college and careers
•
States have committed to implement the new standards by the 2014-15 school year
•
This is an aggressive timeline that will require a strategy that draws on state policymakers, district
and school officials, and classroom teachers to ensure a successful and efficient implementation and
transition
States that have adopted the Common Core
* Minnesota adopted the CCSS in ELA only
The Common Core State Standards include
teaching, assessment and curriculum
At the local level, formative
assessments will take place on an
regular basis, weekly to monthly.
Formative
Assessments
Common
Assessments
At a state level, Common
Assessments will be based on the
new CCSS and administered
throughout the year.
Common Core State
Standards
CCSS serve as the foundation for
ongoing national improvements by
ensuring rigorous curriculum,
assessments, and teaching.
Benefits of the Common Core Standards
Consistency
• Previously, every state had its own set of standards and set of
expectations for student performance
Equity
• Common standards can help create more equal access to an
excellent education
Competition
• All students must be prepared to compete with not only their
American peers, but also with students from around the world
Clarity
• Clear and coherent standards will help students (and parents
and teachers) understand what is expected of them
Collaboration
• Common standards create a foundation for districts and states
to work collaboratively
The GE Foundation is investing in the Standards
The GE Foundation will serve as a leader in supporting the
implementation of the Standards
District
• Investing in 7 school districts across the country and
providing support to schools and district offices for
implementation of the Standards
State
• The GE Foundation is working to align district and
state Standards implementation
National
• Convening local, regional, & national businesses to
build private sector support for the Standards
• Investing in the national leaders and organizations in
support of the Standards
• Informing education policies for the Jobs and
Competitiveness Council
The US Education System is not globally
competitive
Typical US State
World Leading Countries
Topics
Whole Number Meaning
Whole Number Operations
Measurement Units
Topics
G1
G2
G3
G4
G5
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Common Fractions
Equations & Formulas
Data Representation & Analysis
2-D Geometry: Basics
Polygons & Circles
Perimeter, Area & Volume
Rounding & Significant Figures
Estimating Computations
Properties of Whole Number Operations
Estimating Quantity & Size
Decimal Fractions
Relationship of Common & Decimal Fractions
Properties of Common & Decimal Fractions
Percentages
Proportionality Concepts
Proportionality Problems
2-D Coordinate Geometry
Geometry: Transformations
Negative Numbers, Integers & Their Properties
Number Theory
Exponents, Roots & Radicals
Exponents & Orders of Magnitude
Measurement Estimation & Errors
Constructions w/ Straightedge & Compass
3-D Geometry
Congruence & Similarity
Rational Numbers & Their Properties
Patterns, Relations & Functions
Slope & Trigonometry
G6
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G7
G8
Compared to a
world standards,
the US Education
System does not
measure up
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G1
G2
G3
G4
G5
G6
G7
G8
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Measurement Units
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Common Fractions
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Equations & Formulas
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Data Representation & Analysis
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2-D Geometry: Basics
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Polygons & Circles
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Perimeter, Area & Volume
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Rounding & Significant Figures
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Estimating Computations
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Properties of Whole Number Operations
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Estimating Quantity & Size
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Decimal Fractions
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Relationship of Common & Decimal Fractions
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Properties of Common & Decimal Fractions
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Whole Number Meaning
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Whole Number Operations
Percentages
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Geometry: Transformations
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Negative Numbers, Integers & Their Properties
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Number Theory
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Exponents, Roots & Radicals
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Exponents & Orders of Magnitude
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Measurement Estimation & Errors
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Constructions w/ Straightedge & Compass
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3-D Geometry
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Congruence & Similarity
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Rational Numbers & Their Properties l
Patterns, Relations & Functions
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Slope & Trigonometry
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Proportionality Concepts
Proportionality Problems
2-D Coordinate Geometry
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Math
Science
100%
100%
80%
80%
60%
60%
40%
40%
20%
20%
US
0%
0%
4th
Grade
8th
Grade
12th
Grade
4th
Grade
8th
Grade
12th
Grade
*Third International Math & Science Study
A Map of What Top-Performing Countries are
Teaching
Grade
Topic
Whole Number: Meaning
Whole Number: Operations
Measurement Units
Common Fractions
Equations & Formulas
Data Representation & Analysis
2-D Geometry: Basics
2-D Geometry: Polygons & Circles
Measurement: Perimeter, Area & Volume
Rounding & Significant Figures
Estimating Computations
Whole Numbers: Properties of Operations
Estimating Quantity & Size
Decimal Fractions
Relation of Common & Decimal Fractions
Properties of Common & Decimal Fractions
Percentages
Proportionality Concepts
Proportionality Problems
2-D Geometry: Coordinate Geometry
Geometry: Transformations
Negative Numbers, Integers, & Their Properties
Number Theory
Exponents, Roots & Radicals
Exponents & Orders of Magnitude
Measurement: Estimation & Errors
Constructions Using Straightedge & Compass
3-D Geometry
Geometry: Congruence & Similarity
Rational Numbers & Their Properties
Patterns, Relations & Functions
Proportionality: Slope & Trigonometry
Real Numbers, Their Subsets & Properties
1
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Intended by 4 out of the 6 topachieving counties
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Intended by all of the top-achieving
countries
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A Map of What the US is Teaching for the Addition of
Whole Numbers
7
6
4
3
2
1
VT
LA
NH/R
I
DoD
EA
IN
MO
NV
OH
OK
OR
SD
WA
NJ
AZ
CA
DC
FL
MI
NM
NY
TX
MD
MN
UT
VA
CO
ME
WY
TN
AL
KS
MS
ND
AR
ID
AK
HI
0
SC
GA
NC
WV
Grade Level
5
States
Culminating Learning Expectation
Intermediate Expectations
Initial Learning Expectation
Repeated Expectation
9
Addition and Subtraction
of Fractions
8
7
Grade Level
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
States
Culminating Learning Expectation
Intermediate Expectations
Initial Learning Expectation
Repeat and/or Extension Expectations
Major Changes in Literacy Instruction as a
result of the CCSS
From…
To…
Majority of what students read is
literature. Very little time available for
science and social studies instruction.
Building knowledge through content-rich
nonfiction
Students spend most of the time writing
about personal experiences, opinions not
grounded in evidence.
Reading, writing and speaking grounded
in evidence from text, both literary and
informational
Students read text, without consideration
of complexity to prepare for postsecondary expectations and vocabulary
instruction is often focused on literary
terminology, rather than “academic
vocabulary” (alliteration vs. ignite)
Regular practice with complex text and its
academic language
The Common Core Standards provide coherent organization and clear student
expectations
Major Changes in Math Instruction as a
result of the Standards
From…
To…
A mile-wide, inch-deep curriculum that
speeds through topics, rather than
building strong foundation
Focus: Focus strongly where the
standards focus
Scattered, isolated topics that don’t
build on student understanding
Coherence: Think across grades, and
link to major topics
Math curricula that emphasize either
fluency or understanding in
mathematics and that application is
often seen as just “extra”
Rigor: In major topics, pursue
conceptual understanding, procedural
skill and fluency, and application
The Common Core Standards provide coherent organization and clear student
expectations
How will my child be assessed on the new
Standards?
• The new assessments are being developed by 2 consortia
of states
• The new assessments that are aligned to the Standards
will be launched in 2014
• Students in grades 3-12 will be assessed each spring
• Assessments will, in full operation, be implemented
online
Sample Assessment Question Pre-Standards:
Math
(3rd grade item)
• A lunch menu has 3 beverages selections: water, juice, and
milk. The menu also offers 2 sandwich selections: turkey and
peanut butter.
How many different meals on one beverage and one
sandwich are possible?
Sample Assessment Question Common
Core Standards: Math
Sample Literacy Question: Pre-Common
Core Standards
Most people have a special activity or hobby that they enjoy.
Some people collect things while others like to read or play
games. What activity do you like to do?
Write a composition describing what you enjoy doing. Explain
why that activity is special to you.
Sample Assessment Question Common Core
Standards: Literacy (Text-dependent
question)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
• Why does Tom hesitate to allow Ben to paint the fence? How
are his sentences constructed to reflect that hesitation? What
effect do Tom’s hesitations have on Ben?
How Can I Support my Child’s Learning?
• Refer to the PTA guide on the Standards:
http://www.pta.org/common_core_state_standards.asp
• Talk with your child and ask questions about what he/she is learning
• Communicate actively with your child’s teachers about how he/she is
integrating the new Standards into the classroom
• Be patient: the new standards (are more rigorous, will introduce a new
way of teaching, assessment results will reflect higher expectations)
• Explore Resources:
1. Commonstandards.org
2. Commoncore.org
3. PTA.org