New York aligns with national Common Core Learning Standards guide pre-K to grade 12 student learning

Educational standards are a set of guidelines that outline what students need to learn and the skills they need to have in order to be successful in school and beyond. New York State, like many others in the nation, has aligned its standards with a 2010 national initiative known as Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

The initiative was led by the National Governors Association for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers, a national body of all Commissioners of Education. Representatives from these groups worked closely with educators, researchers, national education organizations and community groups in designing the guidelines. The standards of other high-achieving nations were also taken into consideration.

The mission in establishing the standards:
"Common Core 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." (http://www.corestandards.org)

The standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.

The standards:

• Are aligned with college and work expectations;

• Are clear, understandable and consistent;

• Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;

• Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;

• Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and

• Are evidence-based.

The New York State Education Department has adopted Common Core Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects and Mathematics for Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. The standards will define curriculum and instruction and form the basis of state assessments beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.

School districts have updated and realigned their curricula to meet these state standards, including Schoharie. As always, our goal is to provide high quality educational programs that help all children succeed by preparing them for college, careers and life in a global society.

How parents can help their children

Helpful information for parents about the New York State standards can be found in a publication produced by Questar III BOCES, titled "NYS P-12 Common Core Learning Standards". Click on the title to download a pdf of the document.

For more information on the Common Core State Standards

Websites:

Common Core State Standards Initiative : http://www.corestandards.org

New York State Education Department: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/

EngageNY: http://engageny.org/

The Hunt Institute (YouTube videos on Common Core State Standards):
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheHuntInstitute

Publication for parents:

"NYS P-12 Common Core Learning Standards" by Questar III (pdf)

[12/20/2012]