Deer Creek Public Schools - Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards Initiative
The Common Core Standards Initiative is a state-led effort supported by the National
Governor’s Association and the Council of State School Chiefs that has been designed to
improve learning for students in Grades K-12. Academic standards in English language arts and
mathematics were adopted by the Oklahoma State Board of Education June 26, 20120. The
Standards are created to enable all students to graduate from high school in order to be college
and career ready.
What are the benefits for parents of common standards?
Common standards will facilitate conversation among parents, teachers, and children
about high level academic learning goals. Since common standards define exactly what students
should know and be able to do at each grade level, these standards will help parents hold their
schools accountable for teaching students in ways that support learning of the important content
and skills defined by the CCSS.
What are the benefits for school districts?
With the adoption of the CCSS, states and districts can share experiences, teaching
practices, methods of assessment, instructional materials, and approaches to helping parents
support and reinforce learning at home.
What is the timeline for implementation of the CCSS?
Common Core State Standards will be fully implemented by the 2014-2015 school year.
Deer Creek Public Schools has developed a transition plan to allow for changes in curriculum,
learning activities, and resources necessary to better prepare our students for the high
expectations of CCSS.
Where can I receive more information?
The Deer Creek web site has information about CCSS standards, resources, and
frequently asked questions and answers. In addition, the CCSS web address is:
http://www.corestandards.org.
Deer Creek Public Schools - Common Core State Standards
What are the standard elements for English Language Arts and Literacy Skills?
Proficiency in reading and writing English is, and will continue to be a high priority of
Deer Creek public Schools. Transitioning to CCSS only strengthens our efforts. The Standards
Elements include:
Reading: Text complexity and growth of comprehension: The reading standards place equal
emphasis on the complexity of the text students read and the skill with which they read.
Writing: Text types responding to reading and research: The writing standards focus on
specific types of writing: arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives.
Speaking and listening: Flexible communication and collaboration: These standards allow
for students to develop expertise in a range of useful communication and interpersonal skills
including, but not limited to, formal presentations and speeches.
Language: Effective use of grammar and vocabulary: These standards include the rules of
standard written and spoken English and the craft of language.
CCSS for English language arts include literacy standards for Social Studies and Science and
technical subjects that will strengthen reading and writing in all subjects.
What is the focus for mathematics standards in common core?
Mathematical practice and mathematical content are both included in CCSS. CCSS were
developed to be more coherent and focused in order to improve student achievement and prepare
all students to be college and career ready. There are fewer, but clearer standards that will be
taught at a deeper level designed to develop mathematical reasoning and understanding by
thinking mathematically to solve real world problems.
Students will be able to:
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Construct viable arguments.
Model with mathematics.
Use tools strategically.
Attend to precision.
Look for and make sense of structure.
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Fluency in mathematics facts as well as mathematical reasoning and application are components
of CCSS.