These newly adopted standards will replace Oregon’s standards in English Language Arts and Math over the next few years, with assessment of student proficiency beginning spring of 2015. The Common Core State Standards have the potential to effect dramatic changes in education both here in Oregon and around the U.S.

• Increase global competitiveness. The Common Core are aligned to international standards from the highest achieving countries. This means our students will be well prepared to compete both nationally and internationally.
  
  
• Provide consistency across the country. Common standards mean that Oregon students are learning the same content and skills as students from around the U.S. This places everyone on an even playing field and eases transitions between states.
  
  
• Support the Oregon Diploma. The Common Core offer rigorous K-12 standards that integrate the essential skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and mathematical practice. Add to that the emphasis the CCSS places on reading informational technical texts and it is clear these standards will “prepare each student for success in college, work, and citizenship”.



• Build on what is working in Oregon schools. The CCSS are not “one more thing” for districts to do. Practices already effectively implemented in many Oregon districts, such as Proficiency-based Teaching and Learning, the Oregon Literacy Framework, Response to Intervention (OrRTI), and Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) can be supported by the rigorous, real-life standards of the CCSS.



• Support high quality instruction by teachers. Common standards make creating, aligning, finding, and sharing lessons, strategies and assessments within grade levels, schools, and districts easier for teachers, allowing them to focus on high quality instruction. It also makes it possible for teachers from different districts and different states to efficiently share effective practices.
  
  
• Offer 21st century skills for 21st century jobs. The CCSS reach beyond English and Math. They integrate literacy into subjects such as Science, Social Studies, and Technical Subjects to better prepare all students for college and career success in the rapidly changing workplace.