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Common Core State Standards

Definition

“The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.” 

—Common Core State Standards Initiative

For decades, the United States maintained various academic quality standards among states, resulting in wide disparities in student proficiency as measured under the No Child Left Behind Act and highlighted by National Assessment of Education Progress scores.

The adoption of the Common Core State Standards by more than 40 states might be the first step toward meaningful and comprehensive comparisons of student performance and achievement among states. Under these new standards, educators across the country will work under the same guidelines for what students need to know and are expected to do.

ASCD is an endorsing partner of the Common Core initiative. The newer, higher standards will require schools and communities to better and more comprehensively support student learning if students are to meet these enhanced expectations.

For the Common Core standards to succeed and have maximum effect, they also need to be part of a well-rounded, whole child approach to education that ensures students are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.

Featured Resources

EduCore™: Tools for Teaching the Common Core

ASCD's free EduCore™ digital tool, which was funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a repository of evidence-based strategies, videos, and supporting documents that help educators transition to the Common Core standards in mathematics and English language arts and literacy.

Learn more

ASCD Common Core Webinar Series

ASCD offers free webinars on the common core. Topics include implementation, instructional strategies, and professional development. Sessions are archived and can be viewed at any time.

Watch the archives

Understanding by Design® and Literacy Design Collaborative: Complimentary Frameworks

Download the PDF

Read More About the Common Core State Standards

• ASCD and the Common Core Policy Timeline
• Common Core Standards Adoption by State
• ASCD's Common Core State Standards Report (PDF)
• The Common Core State Standards Initiative (PDF)
• Common Core State Standards and the Whole Child (PDF)
• Common Core Assessment Consortia membership by state
• ASCD Policy Points, May 2014: Common Core Talking Points (PDF)
• ASCD Policy Points, October 2013: Common Core State Standards (PDF)