• The Common Core Standards are:
End of year, grade-by-grade descriptions (K-12) of what students should know and be able to do (performance) in reading, writing, speaking/listening, and language.
Aligned with college and work expectations.
Rigorous in content and application of knowledge through high-order skills.
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.
State-led in connection with the CCSSO and the National Governors Association.
• The college and career readiness standards are the same in grades K through 12; however, text complexity and skill specificity differ at each level.
• There are three genres of writing (narrative, informative/expository, and argument) implemented at each grade level.
• The overall focus of the core is on the depth of comprehension in reading and writing, not on the breadth of information covered.
• Core instruction will be based on thematic content units not on strategies and sub-skills in isolation.
• Students will be assessed through performance tasks, i.e., authentic reading and writing.
• The Core does not include scripted lessons and teachers will use their skills in determining how to teach the concepts.
• Comprehensive Balanced Literacy will continue to be part of the curriculum in elementary grades, with shared reading, guided reading, and writing blocks.
