The standards were developed based on education research and proven best practices from schools in California and across the country. They are designed to promote critical thinking and help ensure that our students graduate with the skills they need to be ready for the future. However, Common Core doesn't dictate the curriculum or lesson plans — our teachers and school leaders still make those decisions. Read more at the Common Core website, the California State PTA site, The California Department of Education and Embrace the Core.

The Common Core standards clearly communicate what is expected of students at each grade level. This will allow our teachers to be better equipped to know exactly what they need to help students learn and establish individualized benchmarks for them. The Common Core State Standards focus on core conceptual understandings and procedures starting in the early grades, thus enabling teachers to take the time needed to teach core concepts and procedures well—and to give students the opportunity to master them.