Common Core State Standards

Where we are as a district and as a state

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What are Common Core State Standards?

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) initiative is a state-led effort to establish consistent and clear education standards for English language arts and mathematics so students will be prepared for success in today’s world.

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How did the initiative begin?

The initiative was launched in 2009 by state leaders through their membership in the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center).

Key Points State adoption was voluntary. States could adopt the Common Core State Standards in their

entirety with the option of adding up to an additional 15% state specific content.

On July 14, 2010, South Carolina became one of thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia to adopt the Common Core State Standards.

Currently, 44 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the CCSS as their state standards.

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Why Common Core Standards?We need consistent and clear standards so

that all students understand what is expected of them and so that teachers and parents know what they need to do to help students learn. Mathematics and reading skills should be the same no matter where a child lives.

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The standards are…

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•Built upon strengths and lessons of current state standards

•Internationally benchmarked so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society

•Based on evidence and research

As standards are implemented, the classroom focus must be on

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• Incorporating 21st Century Skills

• Scaffolding independent learners

• Emphasizing critical thinking

• Rethinking classroom assessment

College and Career Ready Students in Mathematics Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them Reason abstractly and qualitatively Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others Model with mathematics Use appropriate tools strategically Attend to precision Look for and make use of structure Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

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College and career ready ELA students Learn independently Build strong content knowledge Comprehend as well as critique Value evidence Use technology and digital media strategically and capably Understand other perspectives and cultures

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State Timeline

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•2010-11 Planning, Awareness, and Alignment (state level)

•2011-12 Transition and Professional Development (district level)

•2012-13 Transition and Professional Development

•2013-14 Beginning Implementation (Bridge/Transition Year)

•2014-15 Full Implementation

Where we are as a district Conducting overview sessions with principals,

instructional facilitators, lead teachers Beginning to review state department resources (video

series) Organizing implementation teams with representation

from each school Developing a plan for full implementation by 2014-15

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