Something historic is happening in education in Oregon, something that all administrators need to know about - the Common Core State Standards. These newly adopted standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics offer the opportunity for collaboration and innovation in schools and districts across the state and around the country.

• The standards are the same wherever you go. Common standards mean that students in Oregon are learning the same thing as students across the country. Students moving into or out of Oregon will have a smoother educational transition because learning goals will now be the same across states. As a result, Oregon’s new graduation requirements will be more accessible to all students, including those who are mobile.
  
  
• The Common Core Standards 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”.



• They 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), and can be supported by the rigorous, real-life standards of the CCSS.



• Instructional planning will be easier and teachers more effective. Common standards will make creating, aligning, finding, and sharing lessons, strategies and assessments within grade levels, schools, and districts easier for teachers and allow them to focus on high quality instruction. It will also make it possible for teachers from different districts and even different states to more efficiently share effective practices.
  
  
• Integrated 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.