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Common Core State Standards
Why are academic standards so important?
Academic standards are important because they help ensure that all
students, no matter where they live, are prepared for success in college
and the workforce. They help set clear and consistent expectations for
students, parents, and teachers; build your child’s knowledge and skills;
and help set high goals for all students. Of course, high standards are
not the only thing needed for our children’s success. But standards
provide an important first step — a clear roadmap for learning for
teachers, parents, and students. Having clearly defined goals helps
families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed.
Standards help parents and teachers know when students need extra
assistance or when they need to be challenged even more. They also will
help your child develop critical thinking skills that will prepare him or her
for college and career.
Click to Read Frequently Asked Questions About the Common Core State Standards
What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?
The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort that established a single set of clear educational standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts and mathematics that states voluntarily adopt. The standards are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter credit bearing entry courses in two or four year college programs or enter the workforce. The standards are clear and concise to ensure that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of the expectations in reading, writing, speaking and listening, language and mathematics in school.
Who was involved in the Common Core State Standards Initiative?
States across the country collaborated with teachers, researchers, and leading experts to design and develop the Common Core State Standards. Each state independently made the decision to adopt the Common Core State Standards, beginning in 2010. The federal government was NOT involved in the development of the standards. Local teachers, principals, and superintendents lead the implementation of the Common Core.
How do the Common Core State Standards compare to previous state standards?
The Common Core State Standards were written by building on the best and highest state standards in existence in the U.S., examining the expectations of other high performing countries around the world, and careful study of the research and literature available on what students need to know and be able to do to be successful in college and careers. No state in the country was asked to lower their expectations for their students in adopting the Common Core. The standards are evidence-based, aligned with college and work expectations, include rigorous content and skills, and are informed by other top performing countries. They were developed in consultation with teachers and parents from across the country so they are also realistic and practical for the classroom.
What my child needs to know before the end of K-12 grades: Four Page Overview
What is Nevada's Plan?
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were adopted by the Nevada State Board of Education in October of 2010. These standards have
become the foundation for mathematics and English language arts instruction and assessment across the state. Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the Common Core State Standards.
In the 2013-2014 school year, Nevada has fully implemented all of the Common Core State Standards in ELA and math for grades K-8.
Click to View Nevada's Implementation Plan
Every state will decide how they will measure their students' knowledge against the Common Core State Standards. Nevada will use the Smarter Balanced Assessments in the 2014-2015 school year. These assessments are rigorous, computer based, and they will require our students to think on higher levels and apply them to real world situations. The Smarter Balanced assessments will go beyond multiple-choice questions and include short constructed response, extended constructed response, and performance tasks that allow students to complete an in-depth project that demonstrate analytical skills and real-world problem solving. For examples of test questions please visit http://www.smarterbalanced.org/pilot-test/.
What will this mean for our students? The CRT or Criterion Referenced Tests your students have been taking since grade 3 will be done away spring 2015. All students grades 3-5 will take the SBAC assessment. Parents as well as teachers will receive students' test results within weeks of taking the SBAC.