The Common Core State Standards in Tennessee
An Overview
What are the Common Core State Standards?
 Standards:
• Represent the goal for what students should learn
• Set expectations for what students should know and be able to do
 The Common Core State Standards are a set of clear standards for
Math and English Language Arts.
 The standards were developed to ensure every student graduates
high school prepared for college or the workforce.
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Why Common Core?
 Because the Common Core State Standards emphasize…
• Real-world skills in math, reading, and writing
(including math without calculators and a focus on basic reading
skills in early grades)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge and skills needed for success in college and careers
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How were the standards developed?
 The initiative was state-led, and Tennessee was represented by content
experts in math and English language arts from the state department of
education.
 A group of governors from the National Governors Association (NGA) and
state commissioners from the Council of Chief State School Officers
(CCSSO) coordinated development.
 The public provided input before the standards were finalized. Comments
from Tennessee teachers and parents were included in the revision process.
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Standards, not Curriculum
 Standards versus Curriculum
• Standards = goals for what students should learn, set by the state
• Curriculum = the road map for meeting those goals, set by local
districts and schools
 Common Core does not dictate curriculum
• Districts, schools, and teachers determine the curriculum using
textbooks and other resources and materials.
• In accordance with Tennessee Code 49-6-2207, textbook adoption is
governed strictly by local school boards.
• Teachers and central office supervisors make decisions on text selection
based on knowledge of their students, student interest, and judgment
of appropriate content.
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Common Core in the Classroom
 Implementation began for math and English language arts in 2011
• 2011-12: Teachers in kindergarten through second grade begin using
the standards
• 2012-13: Teachers in third grade through eighth grade begin using the
standards for math
• 2013-14: Teachers in third grade through twelfth grade begin using the
standards for English language arts; teachers in ninth grade through
twelfth grade begin using the standards for math
 Teachers from across Tennessee have received training in the
Common Core State Standards.
• Spring/Summer 2012: more than 13,000 teachers
• Summer 2013: more than 29,000 teachers
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How will we know what students are learning?
 Tennessee will begin administering a new test in the 2014-15 school
year called PARCC.
 PARCC will replace the current TCAP tests for ELA and Math in
grades 3-8 and high school.
 The new test, called the Partnership for the Assessment of
Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), is designed to:
• Build a pathway to college and career readiness for all students
• Create high-quality assessments that measure the full range of
Common Core State Standards
• Support educators in the classroom
• Make better use of technology in assessments
• Advance accountability at all levels
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The PARCC test will…
 Be administered online in order to:
• Increase flexibility for question types, such as student-supplied answers
and drag-and-drop
• Reflect the nature of college and career work
• Return results to parents and teachers more quickly
 Begin in the 2014-15 school year
 Replace TCAP in math, reading, and writing in grades 3-11. Science
and social studies will continue being assessed through TCAP
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Data Collection
 TN has collected student information through TCAP in accordance
with state and federal law. New assessments will not change this
process.
 The federal government does not have access to student-level
information housed in state data systems.
 The Common Core State Standards are not a tool for data
collection.
 State implementation of the Common Core State Standards and
their related assessments do not require additional data collection
beyond what is authorized by current federal law.
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For additional resources and information, visit:
www.TNCore.org
www.ExpectMoreTN.org
Or send questions to: TNCore.Questions@tn.gov
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