Implementing the Common Core State Standards: An Action Agenda for Higher Education

Recent years have seen the pace of change in education accelerate at all levels as educators and policy makers instigate reforms aimed at raising academic achievement in the United States to a world-class level. Perhaps nowhere has the pace and scale of change been more dramatic than in the realm of K-12 academic standards. In 2009, 48 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Governors Association (NGA) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), committing to a state-led process--the Common Core State Standards Initiative--to produce a set of K-12 standards in the foundational subjects of English language arts and mathematics designed to prepare high school graduates to succeed in college and careers. On June 2, 2010, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were released. As of December 2010, 41 states and the District of Columbia have formally adopted the CCSS. Most states will begin implementing the standards in schools in 2011-2012. This issue brief describes key areas that will require active participation from higher education leaders and faculty from a broad array of disciplines, in the following areas: (1) Defining college readiness and aligning key policies for the school-to-college transition; (2) Developing K-12 assessments and aligning college placement policies with these assessments; (3) Aligning K-12 and higher education curricula; and (4) Teacher preparation and in-service professional development. The issue brief also suggests structures at the state and local levels that can help facilitate collaboration between K-12 and higher education. It concludes with links to detailed information about the standards and related assessments. [This paper was written with the assistance of Paul Lingenfelter, Sharmila Basu Conger, Charlie Lenth, Julie Carnahan, Margaret Horn, Sandy Boyd, Allison Jones, and Mikyung Ryu.]