What is the Common Core?

Over the course of the past two years, those of us in the classroom have heard a lot about the Common Core State Standards. This initiative, started by the National Governor's Association, began as an idea to develop a common curriculum that could be taught to all students in the United States. With the increase of movement around the country, there was concern about the differences in student expectations from state to state.  The goal of the standards is make all students college or career ready by graduation.


North Carolina was among the first states to adopt the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and Language Arts, and we will begin implementing these standards in our classrooms at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. Teachers across our county have been participating in professional development to learn the Standards during this past year. North Carolina has also been a leader in developing materials and resources for teachers that coordinate to the Core.

While the math and language arts curriculum have been redesigned through the adoption of the Common Core, North Carolina has also revised all other curriculum areas as well. Essential Standards have been developed for all other subjects and will also be implemented this year as well.

As a parent, expect to see some different things this year, especially if you have had a child in fifth grade in a previous year. Curriculum have been realigned, and big differences are there especially in math. More specific information will be coming home as we work through the year.

Stay tuned for more updates as our year progresses. If you have any questions about our new curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact me.