Common Core State Standards Initiative
New York State Standards Review Initiative
New York State Learning Standards and Core Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
National Governors Association (NGA)/Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Common Core State Standards Initiative
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 have 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 is 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 forty-nine states and territories to participate in the national dialogue to develop these voluntary standards. New York State is committed to be a part of this dialogue and will provide updates to the public through this website and future opportunities for public engagement.
On September 21st, 2009, the NGA Center and CCSSO released the first official draft of the college- and career-readiness standards and asked for a period of public feedback ending on October 21st, 2009. The draft College and Career Readiness Standards for Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Listening and the College and Career Readiness Standards for Mathematics can be accessed at http://www.corestandards.org/Standards/index.htm . The Board of Regents discussed New York’s involvement in the Common Core State Standards Initiative process and the impact on New York State at their October 13th, 2009 full board meeting. The Regents item for this discussion can be viewed at http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2009Meetings/October2009/1009brd1.htm
The Common Core State Standards Initiative website provides supporting information about the process, including a Frequently Asked Questions document, an Executive Summary, PowerPoint on the initiative, and a list of the Work Group members (for ELA and mathematics), the Feedback group, and the Validation committee. All of these materials are accessible through the left navigation bar on the main Common Core Standards Initiative page http://www.corestandards.org .
New York State Education Department Standards Review Initiative
Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007 asked the State Education Department to establish a timeline and process to review and evaluate the New York State Learning Standards which were approved in 1996, beginning with English language arts. According to Section 1, Part A, 211 of the Laws of 2007:
The Regents shall periodically review and evaluate the existing Regents learning standards to determine if they should be strengthened, modified or combined so as to provide adequate opportunity for students to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in employment or postsecondary education and to function productively as civic participants upon graduation from high school. Such review and evaluation shall be conducted upon a schedule adopted by the Regents, provided that a review and evaluation of the English Language Arts Standards shall be completed as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the two thousand seven-two thousand eight school year.Over the past two years, the Standards Review Initiative English Language Arts Panel has reviewed and completed revisions to the ELA Standards under the direction of Regent Saul Cohen, Standards Review Coordinator Walter Sullivan, the Steering Committee, and ELA Co-chairs Dr. Bonne August and John Harmon. At this time, there is a pause on the review of all of the other Learning Standard areas due to fiscal constraints.
The current English Language Arts Learning Standards revision work under the Board of Regents Standards Review Initiative will continue as a parallel track with the national standards dialogue. New York’s participation in these parallel tracks will bring together the research, scholarship, and expertise necessary to ensure world class standards for all New York students. Information about the N.Y. State Standards Review Initiative, including the Standards Review Initiative Working Principles, membership of the Steering Committee and ELA Panel, a summary of the six public forums held in 2008, and other supporting materials, can be found at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/standardsreview/
New York State Learning Standards and Core Curriculum
The Part 100 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education require that every public school student in New York State be provided an opportunity to receive instruction in order to achieve the New York State Learning Standards. The New York State Learning Standards and core curriculum guidance documents are the foundation for the development of local curriculum and instruction. All State Assessments are aligned to the New York State Learning Standards and core curriculum documents. To learn more about the New York State Learning Standards and core curriculum documents, please see http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/cores.html.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will New York State adopt the Common Core State Standards in ELA and mathematics?
Adoption of the Common Core State Standards in ELA and mathematics is voluntary for states involved in the process. According to the NGA/CCSSO Talking Points document, “…it is fully intended that states adopting the common core may choose to include additional state standards which go beyond the common core.” The State Education Department has committed to taking a leadership role in the development of Common Core Standards. At this time, the decision to adopt these standards will be determined by the Board of Regents, with public input, after the K-12 ELA and mathematics grade-level expectations are released to the public in Winter 2009/2010.
Why is this initiative important?
This initiative will affect 45.1 million students across the United States (91% of the student population). A common set of academic standards for students will help create a common set of rigorous student achievement expectations across the country, as well as provide opportunities for states to pool resources and collaborate on supporting materials and assessments.
Will the Common Core State Standards include a mandated state-wide curriculum for teachers?
No. According to the NGA/CCSSO Talking Points document (link), the Core Common State Standards are not curriculum; the “curriculum that follows will continue to be a local responsibility (or state-led, where appropriate).”
Will a national assessment be developed to measure the Common Core State Standards?
According to the NGA/CCSSO, the common core state standards will ultimately be the basis for a system of high quality assessments. According to the NGA/CCSSO, some states will “voluntarily come together to develop new innovative, common assessments as part of the Race to the Top program.” Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has pledged to use $350 million from the Recovery Act for the development of new assessments to measure the common core standards.
Is there a timeline for the development and implementation of the Common Core State Standards?
In Winter 2009/2010, K-12 common core state standards in English language arts and mathematics will be completed and publicly released. In early 2010, states will submit a timeline and process for adoption of common core state standards.