Common Core State Standards

Implementation Plan

Approved on March 7, 2012, by the State Board of Education, the CCSS systems implementation plan is a living document that identifies major phases and activities in the implementation of the CCSS throughout California's educational system.

• Common Core State Standards Systems Implementation Plan for California (DOC; 10MB; Revised 30-Apr-2014) | PDF (Revised 30-Apr-2014)
  • Significant Milestones Timeline

• CCSS Systems Implementation Guide
  This resource, designed to support local CCSS implementation, provides suggestions and resources organized by the seven guiding strategies of the CCSS Systems Implementation Plan for California.

• Common Core Channel
  Videos and related resources to provide information and support for implementing the CCSS.

• Smarter Balanced Assessment System
  Information about the new generation of student assessments, including information about technology readiness, Practice Tests, the Digital Library, Interim Assessments, and Summative Assessments.

• Common Core State Standards Implementation Funds
  Information about funds allocated to school districts, county offices of education, charter schools, and the state special schools to support CCSS implementation, authorized by Assembly Bill 86, Section 85 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2013) of the Budget Act of 2013.

• Frequently Asked Questions (Revised 4-Sep-2014)

• CCSS Update Listserv
  Join the CCSS Update Listserv to receive information regarding the implementation of the CCSS including resources and opportunities to participate.
  • California Spotlight
    This is a feature of the CDE CCSS Update Listserv to highlight and share Web sites, curriculum, lessons, units, communications, and other online resources developed by California schools, districts, and county offices of education to support the use of the CCSS.

• Common Core State Standards Implementation Survey Search
  Local educational agencies have been invited to participate in a voluntary, ongoing survey of local implementation activities. On this page you can search for and view participating district or direct-funded charter school survey responses. You can view the implementation survey questions on the CDE CCSS Implementation Survey Web page.

Resources for Teachers

• Resources for Mathematics, English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Literacy
  • Resources for Special Education, Preschool, and After School

• CCSS Professional Learning Modules for Educators
  Information and links to the CCSS professional learning modules. Additional professional development opportunities may be found on the Professional Development Opportunities Web page.

• Grade Level Curriculum
  The grade-level curriculum documents are organized by individual grade levels and include information about transitioning to the CCSS.

• Achieve the Core
  Free, high-quality resources compiled by Student Achievement Partners, writers of the CCSS, for educators implementing the CCSS, including professional learning modules, handouts, presentations, sample lessons, lesson videos, and much more.
  • Instructional Practice Guide
    This guide includes coaching and lesson planning tools to help teachers and those who support teachers to make the key shifts in instructional practice required by the CCSS.

• CCSS Resource Clearinghouses
  Listed Web sites include continuously expanding collections of CCSS implementation resources. Since many of these sites are under development, users are advised to visit these sites often for the latest resources.

• CCSS Videos and Archived Presentations
  Videos and archived presentations to support the implementation of the CCSS.

Not finding what you need? Use the keyword search and filters to find specific resources at Common Core Search.

Resources for Administrators

• Resources for Mathematics, English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Literacy
  • Resources for Special Education, Preschool, and After School
  • Please visit the Teachers Tab to find resources for teachers.

• California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA)
  This site offers communication tools to help disseminate information about the CCSS. Information includes PowerPoint presentations about the CCSS for mathematics and English language arts (ELA), a general overview, and information about international benchmarking of standards.

• CCSSO - The CCSS Initiative
  Information and resources to support the implementation of the CCSS provided by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
  • Common Core State Standards: Implementation Tools and Resources (PDF; Revised 21-Nov-2013)
    A list of tools and resources, primarily developed by the CCSSO and the lead writers of the standards, to point states to promising practices and tools to support CCSS implementation.

• Achieve the Core
  Free, high-quality resources compiled by Student Achievement Partners, writers of the CCSS, for educators implementing the CCSS, including professional learning modules, handouts, presentations, sample lessons, lesson videos, and much more.
  • Leadership Tools
    Essential actions and tools for implementation in a school or district.
  • Instructional Leadership and the CCSS Module
    This is a 1.5 hour module designed to guide the school-level instructional leader in beginning the work of understanding and implementing the CCSS.
  • Instructional Practice Guide
    This guide includes coaching and lesson planning tools to help teachers and those who support teachers to make the key shifts in instructional practice required by the CCSS.

• PACE/CCSESA Regional Leadership Sessions on CCSS Implementation
  Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) sponsored regional leadership sessions to highlight a variety of strategies, tools, and resources, including local examples and strategic advice on key issues, to support the successful implementation of the CCSS. On this Web site you can find videos of session presentations and related tools and resources.

• Achieve Publications
  Achieve publishes national and state reports as well as policy briefs, surveys, and white papers that focus on preparing all students for college and careers. All of these publications are available to the public for free in PDF format.
  • Implementing the CCSS: The Role of the Elementary School Leader Action Brief
  • Implementing the CCSS: The Role of the Secondary School Leader Action Brief
  • Implementing the CCSS: The Role of the School Counselor Action Brief
  • Implementing the CCSS: The Role of the School Librarian Action Brief

• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Common Core Resources
  NASSP has compiled a number of resources to help school leaders as they work to meet the challenge of implementing the CCSS.

• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Common Core State Standards Resources
  A list of implementation resources, including items specifically for elementary school principals, compiled by the NAESP.

• Spotlight on the Common Core State Standards – What Do District Administrators Need to Know?
  Brief by Education Northwest reviews actions district administrators should consider taking now to prepare their schools for CCSS implementation.

Not finding what you need? Use the keyword search and filters to find specific resources at Common Core Search.

Resources for Students, Parents, and Guardians

Information and resources about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for students, parents, and guardians.

• CCSS Resources for Parents and Guardians | DOC (Updated 19-Aug-2014)
  This handout includes a list of resources for parents and guardians interested in learning more about the CCSS and how to support their child's attainment of these standards.
  • Available translations of the CCSS Resources for Parents and Guardians handout
  • Mathematics Resources for Parents and Guardians
    Information and resources for parents and guardians that explain mathematics instruction used today and provide suggestions for supporting their child's academic success.

• Informational Handouts
  Informational flyers providing overviews and highlights of the CCSS, available in multiple languages.

• What’s Cooking with Common Core in California?
  This brief video explains what the transition to the CCSS means for California. This video was developed by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation in collaboration with the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California State PTA®, California School Boards Association, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers AFT/AFL-CIO, Association of California School Administrators, and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

• K-8 California's Common Core Standards Parent Handbook
  This handbook, created by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) in consultation with the California State Parent Teacher Association (PTA), gives parents an introduction to California's CCSS and a summary of what students are expected to learn as they advance from kindergarten through grade eight. This document has been translated into 17 languages. The handbook and translations may be found on the CCSESA Common Core Standards Communication Tools Web page under the General Overview Materials section.

• California PTA Common Core Web Page
  The California State PTA has made available many resources for parents to learn more about the CCSS and support their child's achievement of the standards. Resources include informational fliers, frequently asked questions, grade level parents' guides, links to additional resources, and articles of interest. The fliers and parents' guides are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
  • National PTA Assessment Resources
    The National PTA has released a fact sheet on assessments to provide parents with information about what he assessments should do and what they are trying to accomplish. It has also made available videos about the assessments and test scores.

• Achieve the Core Common Core Resources for Parents and Community Members
  This Web page contains resources compiled for parents and guardians introducing the CCSS including information about the standards; guides, roadmaps, and videos for parents; and teacher and business support for the CCSS.
  • A Common Core FAQ (PDF) created by teachers for teachers that includes key information about the background of the Standards, what the changes mean for students, and resources where parents can learn more.
  • Milestone Videos from GreatKids.org are short videos for parents that show what children in grades K-5 should be able to do in each grade.

• Parent and Guardian Practice Test Notification Template (DOC)
  The California Department of Education has developed a letter template for local educational agencies to assist them in notifying parents and guardians of the availability of the Smarter Balanced Practice Tests. The notification template can be customized and printed on school or district letterhead. The template is available in multiple languages.
  • Spanish translation of the Parent and Guardian Practice Test Notification Template (DOC)
  • Other available translations of the Parent and Guardian Practice Test Notification Template

• Grade Level Curriculum
  The grade-level curriculum documents are organized by individual grade levels and include information about transitioning to the CCSS.

• Common Core Resources for Special Education
  CCSS resources and guidelines for the special education community.

• Council of Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps
  The Council of Great City Schools has developed parent roadmaps for understanding the ELA and mathematics CCSS in kindergarten through eighth grade. For each grade and subject, the roadmaps explain to parents what children will be learning and how parents can support learning outside of the classroom.

• Shifts for Students and Parents
  EngageNY has created a practical guide that provides steps that parents can take to improve their child’s learning of the CCSS.

• Be a Learning Hero
  A collection of education organizations seek to help parents and guardians support their child's success in school with tools and resources.

• Raise the Bar Parents
  Supported by America Achieves, this is a Web site created by parents for parents. Its mission is to provide parents with tools, resources, and community so that parents have what they need to support their child's learning and work effectively with teachers and schools. On this page, you will find information about education relevant to parents , tools for parents to help at home (such as the Educational Check-Up), and ways for connecting with other active parents.

Resources for the Higher Education Community

• Resources for Mathematics, English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Literacy

• Letter from UC, CSU, CCC, and AICCU Leaders
  In this letter to the State Board of Education, leaders of the University of California system, the California State University system, the California Community Colleges, and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities outline their endorsement of the CCSS and their support for continuous collaboration between K–12 and higher education.

• Implementing the Common Core State Standards: An Action Agenda for Higher Education (PDF)
  Issue brief prepared by Achieve, the American Council on Education, and the State Higher Education Executive Officers.

• The Common Core Standards and Teacher Preparation: The Role of Higher Education (PDF)
  Discussion paper by The Leadership Collaborative, part of the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative, an initiative of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

• Higher Education for Higher Standards
  Higher Education for Higher Standards is a growing coalition of college and university leaders who believe college- and career-ready standards, including the CCSS, are critical to improving student success.

Community Partners

Information and resources about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for local school board members, business leaders, and community partners.

• CSBA CCSS Web Page
  The California School Boards Association (CSBA) has produced a number of resources to assist governance teams as they implement the CCSS in their district or county office of education.

• CPE Understanding the Common Core
  The Center for Public Education (CPE), an initiative of the National School Boards Association, has gathered a compendium of resources to help you understand what these new standards are—and aren't—and what states are doing to ensure all students graduate college and career ready.

• Chamber of Commerce Smarter Balanced Flyer (PDF)
  This informational flyer was developed by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives in collaboration with the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium to inform the business community about what the Smarter Balanced assessment system will mean for them.

• State Board of Education CCSS Meeting Agenda Items
  Agenda items addressed by the State Board of Education (SBE) regarding the implementation of the CCSS.

• Achieve the Core Common Core Resources for Parents and Community Members
  This Web page contains resources compiled for community members introducing the CCSS including information about the standards; guides, roadmaps, and videos for parents; and teacher and business support for the CCSS.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Business for Core
  On this Web site, visitors will find simple and useful information and multimedia about the state of education in the U.S. and the importance of the CCSS. Here you will find myths vs. facts, an electronic communications toolkit, opinion and editorial pieces, an interactive map for state level information about student achievement, and informative videos.
  

• Business Center for a College- and Career-Ready America (BCCRA)
  The BCCCRA aims to help business leaders think more strategically about how best to support college and career readiness for all students in states across the country. To strengthen the bridge between awareness and engagement, the BCCCRA provides a range of practical and customizable tools, key messages, talking points and examples of how current business leaders are supporting standards-based education reform — both within and across states.

• What’s Cooking with Common Core in California?
  This brief video explains what the transition to the CCSS means for California. This video was developed by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation in collaboration with the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California State PTA®, California School Boards Association, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers AFT/AFL-CIO, Association of California School Administrators, and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

• A New Foundation for Student Success
  This video, commissioned by the Hunt Institute and the Council of Chief State School Officers, provides an introduction to the CCSS, including a brief history. This video is part of the Common Core Implementation Video Series .