What do parents need to know about the California Standards?
Quick Links
Keyboarding Resources
CUSD Common Core Parent Guides
California Common Core Standards
The brochures were developed on behalf of the Consortium for the Implementation of the Common Core under the leadership of the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division of the CDE and the Sacramento County Office of Education. For the best visual presentation, the brochures are designed to be printed two sided (flipped on the short edge), and then folded into thirds.
The brochures on the mathematics standards showcase example problems, and the brochures on the ELA standards highlight the progression of learning through the grade levels. Each brochure also provides suggestions for parents/guardians to support their students’ learning and a list of additional resources.
| Math | ELA |
| K-2 | K-2 |
| 3-5 | 3-5 |
| 6-8 | 6-8 |
| 9-12 | 9-12 |
Parent CCSS Tool Box
CCSS Resources for Parents and Guardians
CCSS Resources for Parents and Guardians in Multiple Languages
Californians Dedicated to Education - CCSS Campaign Communications Resources
2014 CCSS Parent Information Night PowerPoint
CUSD Core Textbooks used for the Curriculum
Common Core Channel (videos and related resources to provide information and support for implementing the CCSS)
Common Core Overview for Parents
Myths vs. Facts About the Common Core State Standards
Parent Roadmaps to the Common Core
Shifts for Parents and Students (PPT from Engage NY)
Guides for Supporting English Learners and the Five Key Themes in the ELA/ELD Framework
10 Things Parents Should Know About
The Common Core:
1. What are the Common Core State Standards?
The Common Core State Standards are a set of expectations that outline what students should be learning in English/language arts and mathematics at each grade level (K-12).
2. What is the goal of the CCSS?
The goal of the CCSS is to make sure that all students are well prepared for college, technical education, or the workplace after high school graduation.
3. Do the standards tell teachers how to teach?
No. The CCSS do not tell teachers how to teach; they simply outline the skills that all students should master. For example, the CCSS do not tell teachers which books should be taught in fourth-grade English/language arts, but they do say that each fourth grader should learn how to identify "a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text" or "summarize the text."
4. Are there standards for science, social studies and other content areas?
No. At this time, the CCSS do not address content areas other than reading/language arts and mathematics; however, they do include standards related to content area reading in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects for Grades 6-12.
5. Why were the CCSS created?
Currently, each individual state has its own education standards, and there is little consistency from one state to another. The CCSS were designed to provide a single set of research-based standards that will ensure that all students nationwide have access to the same rigorous academic content. So far, 45 of the 50 states have adopted the CCSS, which are scheduled to go into effect in 2014.
6. Who wrote the standards?
The CCSS were not developed by the federal government, but by a group of educators and experts coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The federal government will not oversee the implementation of the CCSS.
7. How will student progress in meeting the standards be measured
As of now, it is not clear how students' progress toward meeting the standards will be measured or assessed; however, because the U.S. Constitution gives individual states the right to oversee education, participating states will likely be in charge of any testing that is done for the purpose of monitoring student progress.
8. Are there special instructions for English language learners?
No. The authors of the CCSS provided guidelines for implementing the standards with English language learners and with students receiving special education services, but they do not provide instructions on how to do so. Individual schools or school divisions will need to make decisions regarding the details of implementation.
9. Do the standards include information about English language levels or proficiency?
One of the main considerations regarding the use of the CCSS with English language learners will be to align the new standards with existing English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards, which vary from state to state. The CCSS are not currently aligned to ELP standards.
10. Where can I learn more?
Parents can access the Common Core State Standards in their entirety on the CCSS website. By reviewing the standards for their child's grade level, parents can be better equipped to provide support for their child's learning at home.
Adapted from Colorín Colorado 2011
