Common Core
What are the Common Core State Standards?
The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA). These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live. Forty-three states, including Illinois, have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the Common Core.
The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA). These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live. Forty-three states, including Illinois, have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the Common Core.
The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that 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.
How will Common Core success be measured?
Illinois has joined with a consortium of states called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The PARCC states have developed a set of computer-based assessments for English/Language Arts and Mathematics, which will replace the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) in 2014-2015.
How will Common Core success be measured?
Illinois has joined with a consortium of states called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The PARCC states have developed a set of computer-based assessments for English/Language Arts and Mathematics, which will replace the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) in 2014-2015.
Given the increased rigor of this new assessment, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) anticipates all school districts in Illinois will initially see a decrease in the number of students who meet and exceed these standards. However, that doesn't mean our students know any less than they did before. Instead, we are simply applying a new set of expectations moving forward to demonstrate student progress toward meeting college and career-readiness benchmarks.
Where can I learn more about PARCC and the Common Core Standards?
Further information about the Common core and PARCC can be found at:
http://www.corestandards.org
http://www.isbe.net/common_core
http://www.parcconline.org
Additionally, the National PTA and The Council of Great City Schools have developed Parent Guides that explain, by grade level, some of the changes parents will begin to see as we fully transition to the Common Core Standards.