Achieving the Common Core

In 2009, 48 states, 2 territories and the District of Columbia signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Governors Association (NGA) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), committing to a state-led process – the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI). Achieve partnered with NGA and CCSSO on the Initiative and a number of Achieve staff and consultants served on the writing and review teams. On June 2, 2010, the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics (CCSS) were released. A copy of Achieve’s press release on the CCSS can be found here.

Achieve has developed a set of materials to help states and others interested in better understanding the CCSS. The materials focus on the organization, content and evidence base used to support the standards, including fact sheets that describe the content areas and address frequently asked questions about the standards. Achieve will also roll out materials to help states implement the standards.

PowerPoint Presentation

Achieve’s PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the CCSS, with particular focus on how the standards are organized and key content takeaways within each discipline.

Understanding the Common Core State Standards

Fact Sheets

CCSS/ADP Side by Sides

Achieve has created a side-by-side comparison on the alignment of the CCSS to the American Diploma Project (ADP) Benchmarks (2004) to help states better understand the standards.

Public Opinion

The CCSS have received support from a wide range of leaders, organizations and members of the media. Below are two documents that capture what is being said about the CCSS.

The Achieve Common Core Comparison Tool (CCCTool)

The Achieve Common Core Comparison Tool (CCCTool) has been developed to help state departments of education understand the differences and similarities between the CCSS and their current standards. Once the state team has completed the comparison, a data file of that side-by-side comparison and summary report can be generated. Achieve provides orientation webinars for state department of education staff; contact Achieve for more information.

CCSS Model Course Pathways in Mathematics

Achieve (in partnership with the CCSS mathematics writing team) convened a group of experts to develop Model Course Pathways in Mathematics based on the Common Core State Standards. Four model course pathways were created, each of which is intended to significantly increase the coherence of high school mathematics courses. Download the pathways here.

CCSS Content Comparison Briefs

Achieve has reviewed the final mathematics CCSS against a number of well-known and well-regarded benchmarks, including international comparisons, high performing states and NAEP. These briefs help show how the CCSS compare to, and in many cases, build upon, the best benchmarks in the world. Read the briefs here.

On the Road to Implementation—Achieving the Promise of the Common Core State Standards

Achieve has developed a guide for states and districts to use as they move from adoption to implementation of the CCSS. To realize the full potential of the CCSS and ensure the new standards actually reach the classroom level, states will need to think through a number of critical issues including: how to integrate the new standards into your state’s broader college- and career-ready agenda, including graduation requirements, assessments, and accountability; how your state standards stack up against the CCSS; how to leverage budgets to support implementation; and how to best communicate about the new standards to key stakeholders. The guide addresses these issues and more and can be found here.

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