About the

Common Core 

State Standards

This channel features video and documentation about the Common Core

—its history, adoption, concepts, and uses.
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Learn about the Common Core State Standards Initiative, from how the standards came into being to the development of the associated Next Generation Assessments. Here you will find links and documents from the key stakeholders, developers, and advocates of the standards.
Introduction to the Common Core
Introduction to the Common Core
Resource: Web Resource
Introduction to the Common Core adapted from a column by Gene R. Carter, Executive Director, ASCD.
ASCD and Gates Introduction
ASCD and Gates Introduction
Resource: Web Resource
On March 25, 2011, ASCD and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation entered into a unique partnership with the potential to transform public education in the United States. The Gates Foundation awarded ASCD a multimillion dollar grant to establish a program to support teachers in the classroom and advance understanding and implementation of the Common Core State Standards in states and districts. The culmination of that effort is the ASCD EduCore™ website, which will continue to expand over a three-year period.
Fulfilling the Promise of the Common Core State Standards: Moving from Adoption to Implementation to Sustainability
Fulfilling the Promise of the Common Core State Standards: Moving from Adoption to Implementation to Sustainability
Resource: Web Resource
ASCD has released a new report titled "Fulfilling the Promise of the Common Core State Standards: Moving from Adoption to Implementation to Sustainability" illuminating activities educators and policymakers at all levels can undertake to successfully implement the Common Core State Standards across the nation.
From Common Core Standards to Curriculum: Five Big Ideas
From Common Core Standards to Curriculum: Five Big Ideas
Resource: Web Resource
NEW RESOURCE Written by Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins.
Common Core State Standards Initiative
Common Core State Standards Initiative
Resource: Web Resource
The home page of the Common Core State Standards Initiative offers background information, news, and downloads of the standards themselves.
Common Core State Standards: Progress and Challenges in School Districts' Implementation
Common Core State Standards: Progress and Challenges in School Districts' Implementation
Download: PDF Document
This report from the Center on Education Policy introduces the Common Core State Standards and key findings about school districts’ implementation.
Making a Difference in Student Achievement
Making a Difference in Student Achievement
Download: PDF Document
This PCG Education white paper gives a quick overview of eight differences between CCSS-ELA standards and current state standards, and outlines actions that school and district leaders must take to unlock the potential of the CCSS for K–12 students.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Resource: Web Resource
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is one of two consortia designing the assessments for the Common Core State Standards.
Preparing America's 21st Century Workforce - Gates Foundation (White Paper)
Preparing America's 21st Century Workforce - Gates Foundation (White Paper)
Download: PDF Document
This report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation surveys business executives to assess their awareness of the Common Core State Standards and examine how they view workforce issues facing America.
Curriculum, Assessment, and the CCSM
Curriculum, Assessment, and the CCSM
Resource: Web Resource
This report highlights the key findings from the national conference "Moving Forward Together: Curriculum & Assessment and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics."
Fewer, Clearer, Higher: Moving Forward with Consistent Rigorous Standards for All Students
Fewer, Clearer, Higher: Moving Forward with Consistent Rigorous Standards for All Students
Download: PDF Document
This Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation paper describes why the Common Core State Standards are necessary for ensuring that students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college or career and provides context for state leaders wrestling with decisions on how to implement new standards, assessments, and teaching tools.
Tying Together the Common Core of Standards, Instruction, and Assessments
Tying Together the Common Core of Standards, Instruction, and Assessments
Resource: Web Resource
Two officers of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cowrote this article on resources for school districts to use as they implement the Common Core State Standards
Defining and Enhancing Formative Assessment
Defining and Enhancing Formative Assessment
Download: PDF Document
This article by researcher James Popham provides a comprehensive overview of formative assessment, which is essential to understanding the Classroom Challenges lessons.
Partnership for the Assessment Readiness of College and Careers
Partnership for the Assessment Readiness of College and Careers
Resource: Web Resource
The Partnership for the Assessment Readiness of College and Careers (PARCC) is one of two consortia designing the assessments for the Common Core State Standards.
LDC and UbD: Complementary Frameworks
LDC and UbD: Complementary Frameworks
Download: PDF Document
With the adoption of the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts, educators are now charged with translating the standards into curricula and effective teaching methods. In this paper, Jay McTighe explores connections between the robust frameworks of Understanding by Design® (UbD) and The Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) and suggests ways to extend the power and impact of each.

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