Common Core Background
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative was a joint
effort by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
(NGA Center) www.nga.org and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) www.ccsso.org
in partnership with Achieve, ACT, and the College Board. Through this
initiative, Governors and state commissioners of education from across
the country committed to joining a state-led process to develop a
common core of state standards in English language arts (ELA) and
mathematics for grades K-12. One of the main goals was to develop a
“common core of standards that are internationally benchmarked, aligned
with work and post-secondary education expectations, and inclusive of
the higher order skills that students need…” In April 2009, Governor David Paterson and former Education
Commissioner Richard P. Mills signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
along with fifty other states and territories to participate in the
national dialogue to develop these voluntary standards. In September
2009, the first draft of the College and Career Readiness Standards were
released for public feedback. Revisions were incorporated, and a
second round of public feedback was taken in March of 2010. Final
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics and CCSS for English
Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and
Technical Subjects were unveiled June 2, 2010. States began adopting
them immediately, many as part of their commitment to the federal Race
to the Top reform efforts. The adoption process required states to
adopt the CCSS word-for-word, but allowed for the addition of up to 15%
more standards in each subject area to accommodate individual state
concerns and preferences.
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