What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort to establish a shared set of clear educational standards for English language arts and mathematics that states can voluntarily adopt. 44 states, including Arkansas, have adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).  The standards have been informed by the best available evidence and the highest state standards across the country and globe and designed by a diverse group of teachers, experts, parents, and school administrators, so they reflect both our aspirations for our children and the realities of the classroom. These standards are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to go to college or enter the workforce and that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. The standards are benchmarked to international standards to guarantee that our students are competitive in the emerging global marketplace.

Arkansas – Common Core State Standards Initiative information can be found at:  www.commoncorearkansas.org

Common Core will be implemented into Arkansas public schools in the timeframe below:

• Kindergarten – 2nd grades:
  2011-2012
• 3rd – 8th grades:
  2012-2013
• 9th – 12th grades:
  2013-2014
• Common Assessment:
  2014-2015

Arkansas is one of 24 states in PARCC – Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career.

What is PARCC?
PARCC is a 24-state consortium working together to develop next-generation K-12 assessments in English and math. 

PARCC benefits:
Students who will know if they are on track to graduate ready for college and careers
Teachers with regular results available to guide learning and instruction
Parents with clear and timely information about the progress of their children
States with valid results that are comparable across the member states
The nation as it is based on college- and career-ready, internationally-benchmarked CCSS

Where can I find out more about PARCC?
www.parcconline.org