Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Common Core State Standards

Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. In California, the State Board of Education decides on the standards for all students, from kindergarten through high school.

Since 2010, a number of states across the nation have adopted the same standards for English and math. These standards are called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Having the same standards helps all students get a good education, even if they change schools or move to a different state. Teachers, parents, and education experts designed the standards to prepare students for success in college and the workplace.

The California Department of Education helps schools make sure that all students are meeting the standards. Below you will find information about the standards and the CCSS-related activities taking place in California.


    California Common Core State Standards

    Resources

    • Common Core Search
      Common Core Search is a collection of resources to support implementation of the CCSS. Resources organized by audience are available in the tab sections below.

    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.

    • 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.
    • 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.

    Resources for Teachers

    • 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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
        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.

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

    Resources for Administrators

    • CA CCSS Instructional Leadership Guide
      Developed by the CDE, in collaboration with the El Dorado County Office of Education and Butte County Office of Education, and with the help of California educators and students, this is an online resource meant to be a companion to the Mathematics Framework and ELA/ELD Framework. It includes videos of California instructional leaders and classrooms, discussion prompts, and resources for further exploration, with the purpose of building the capacity of instructional leaders as they address complex questions and challenges related to the implementation of the standards.
    • Achieve the Core External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
        Essential actions and tools for implementation in a school or district.
      • Instructional Leadership and the CCSS Module External link opens in new window or tab.
        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 External link opens in new window or tab.
        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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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.

    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.

    • Informational Handouts
      Informational flyers providing overviews and highlights of the CCSS, available in multiple languages.
    • What’s Cooking with Common Core in California? External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab. under the General Overview Materials section.
    • California PTA Common Core Web Page External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
        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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab. (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 External link opens in new window or tab. from GreatKids.org are short videos for parents that show what children in grades K-5 should be able to do in each grade.
    • Grade Level Curriculum
      The grade-level curriculum documents are organized by individual grade levels and include information about transitioning to the CCSS.
    • Council of Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab., 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

    • 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.
    • Higher Education for Higher Standards External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 External link opens in new window or tab.
      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.
    • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Business for Core External link opens in new window or tab.
      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 Resources for a College- and Career-Ready America External link opens in new window or tab.
      Business leaders in collaboration with Achieve have created a toolkit that helps business leaders think more strategically about how best to support college and career readiness for all students. To strengthen the bridge between awareness and engagement, the toolkit features a range of key data and practical examples of how current business leaders are supporting standards-based education reform within and across states.
    • What’s Cooking with Common Core in California? External link opens in new window or tab.
      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.
    Questions:   Common Core Team | commoncoreteam@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0490
    Last Reviewed: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

    Share this Page

    Recently Posted in Common Core State Standards