State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Unveils New
Publication Detailing California Standards by Grade Level
SACRAMENTO —State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the release of a new publication focusing on the California standards in the earliest grades that include the newly adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
"A Look at Kindergarten through Grade Three in California Public Schools is a useful tool that will offer teachers a better understanding of grade-level standards," said O'Connell. "This publication is an insightful and invaluable resource for schools that will help level the education playing field so all children can learn."
The publication provides descriptions of academic subject areas and a focus on content standards. A "standard" is defined as the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire at each grade level. Other sections of the publication link this information to instructional resources, testing information, compliance with state and federal accountability laws, how to provide access to all students, and address closing the achievement gap between higher-performing and lower-performing students.
A Look at Kindergarten through Grade Three in California Public Schools brings together the California standards in an easy-to-reference format where all subjects are grouped together by grade levels. The publication is designed to support California's transition to the CCSS. The CCSS were developed through a state-led initiative to establish consistent and clear education standards across the nation for English-language arts and mathematics that would better prepare students for success in the competitive global economy.
The publication includes not only the recently adopted CCSS in English-language arts and mathematics, but also identifies similarities and differences between the 1997 standards and the CCSS. For English-language arts, the publication provides charts to illustrate significant enhancements found in the CCSS that will be especially helpful in planning English-language development instruction. For mathematics, the publication also includes overview charts comparing the 1997 standards and the CCSS and highlights some grade level changes. Also included are references to the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum adopted last January in California for use in public schools.
A Look at Kindergarten through Grade Three in California Public Schools is available on the California Department of Education's Web site at Common Core State Standards Resources - Curriculum & Instruction.
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