Background

California was one of 48 states that joined the national initiative to develop shared educational standards. Participating states worked together to draft common English-language arts and mathematics standards. The process was state-led and supported by the Council of Chief State School Officers and National Governors Association.

Emphasizing 21st Century Skills
The Common Core State Standards were written in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts with a goal of providing a clear and consistent framework for preparing students for college and the workforce, regardless of where they live. They are informed by knowledge gained through many years of implementing standards-based programs in California, across the United States, and around the world.

The Common Core State Standards define the knowledge and skills students should acquire in K-12 education so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. They were reversed-engineered from college and career standards and represent 21st century skills. The standards:

• Are clear, understandable, and consistent
• Are evidence-based
• Are aligned with college and work expectations
• Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order skills
• Build on the strengths and lessons of our existing state standards
• Are informed by other top-performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in the global economy and society

In adopting these new standards, California combined the nationally-developed core standards with some state-specific supporting standards. The goal of supplementing the national standards was to maintain the unique strength and character of our existing state system, which is generally thought to include some of the most rigorous academic standards in the country.

Next Generation Assessments
The adoption and implementation of new standards also requires changes to the state’s assessment instrument, so a new state assessment system is also being developed. California has joined a federally-funded assessment consortium, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which is now in the process of designing “next generation” assessments linked to the Common Core State Standards.

Transition Plans
In preparation for these major education policy changes, transition plans are in development. The California Department of Education will take a recommended implementation plan to the State Board of Education in January 2012. Newly signed legislation requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop recommendations for the reauthorization of the statewide student assessment program—STAR, which sunsets in 2014—by November 1, 2012. In addition, instructional materials to bridge the gap between the content in adopted materials and the Common Core State Standards need to be designed.