Common Core Standards
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative is a state led effort that included math, reading, and curriculum specialists, in partnership with the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The purpose was to establish a single set of clear educational expectations for English language arts/literacy and mathematics that states can share and voluntarily adopt. New Hampshire has embedded the standards from this initiative into our College and Career Ready Standards. The State Board of Education adopted the new standards for English language arts/literacy and mathematics at their July 8, 2010 meeting, committing to a thoughtful, orderly transition process for implementation and assessment to ensure that all New Hampshire students experience a successful and productive future.
The CCSS are not a national or state curriculum nor are they federally mandated. Standards do not tell teachers how to teach, but provide a kindergarten through 12th grade roadmap for what students should know and be able to demonstrate. It remains up to each local school district to design curriculum to help their students successfully achieve the standards. The CCSS are evidenced based, aligned with college and work expectations, and are informed by the highest standards across the country and globe. These standards were designed by a diverse group of educators, business leaders, and advocacy and policy stakeholders and have garnered support from state and national parent organizations.