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Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

To provide information on CCSS, RIDE has made many resources available to our schools and districts.

This page contains recent updates, key information, and quality resources for educators and the public about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the PARCC Assessment for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics.

Rhode Islanders Support the Common Core!

Learn about why Rhode Island students, teachers, parents, and business and community leaders support the Common Core State Standards that will help our high-school graduates be as well prepared for success as their peers from around the world

Common Core Resources

ELA/Literacy Educators Mathematics Educators

Introduction to the CCSS

Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards: This three-minute video explains how the Common Core State Standards will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond. (Council of the Great City Schools)
Power Point [PPT]
PowerPoint provides an overview of the Common Core State Standards, brief overview of the English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics standards, and Rhode Island’s transition timeline and resources.
ELA CCSS Graphic [PDF]
Graphic provides a visual representation of the components and the structure of the CCSS for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.
ELA CCSS vs. GLE/GSE Overview [PDF]
Document strives to provide a general overview of some of the major differences between the GLE/GSEs and the CCSS for Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Language. Particular attention is devoted to new features in the CCSS and major shifts in focus and/or rigor across grade spans.
Mathematics CCSS Graphic [PDF]
Graphic provides a visual representation of the components and the structure of the CCSS for Mathematics highlighting the interconnected nature of the Standards for Mathematical Practice and the Content Standards.
Mathematics CCSS vs. GLE/GSE Overview [PDF]
Document strives to provide a general overview of some of the major differences between the GLE/GSEs and the CCSS for Mathematics. Particular attention is devoted to new features in the CCSS and major shifts in focus and/or rigor across grade spans.
Cracking the Code: How to Read the CCSS [PPT]
David Coleman's Visit to Rhode Island
- Talking Points about the CCSS [PDF]
  A brief summary of the main points from David Coleman's presentations.
- Keynote Speech from David Coleman, Contributing Author of the CCSS
  Join David Coleman as he presents to a group of principals in New York City on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). David, contributing author to the Common Core State Standards, outlines the guiding principles of the CCSS and highlights the significant changes present within the CCSS in Mathematics and English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects. The information David shares will be good fodder for discussion. Be sure to check out David’s savvy banter on the CCSS as it is both compelling and entertaining!
  - Video of the speech
  - Questions to Foster Discussion or Reflection
- Key Instructional Shifts to the Common Core State Standards [PDF]
- Major Work and Key Fluencies for Mathematics [PDF]
- Resource Handout from February 29 [PDF]
Hunt Institute Video Vignettes [PDF]
Videos feature the Lead Writers of the Common Core State Standards providing insight and a deeper understanding of the standards in Mathematics, English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.
- ELA/Literacy Vignettes
  Document provides highlights of each vignette, length (time), and identifies the target audience.
- Mathematics Vignettes
  Document provides highlights of each vignette, length (time), and identifies the target audience.

Common Core implementation in Rhode Island

RI Common Core Videos
Rhode Island Support for CCSS Implementation [PDF]
Rhode Island has coordinated projects and developed resources to support its educators in implementing the CCSS since 2010. This document lists those projects and resources.
Race to the Top Curriculum Development
RI Interim Assessments
PARCC Educator Leader Cadre
ELA/literacy materials for educators
Mathematics materials for educators

Resources for administrators

RI Common Core Videos
"Get Ready!" A Guide for Rhode Island Administrators [PDF]
"Get Set!" Rhode Island Administrators [PDF]
This guide provides information about implementing the Common Core, preparing your LEA/school for the PARCC assessment, and key points on helping to ensure a thoughtful transition.
Instructional Leadership Professional Development Module
This 1.5–4 hour module is designed to guide and support principals, content supervisors, central office leaders, and coaches in the work of planning and carrying out the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. The module addresses five aspects of effective leadership in implementation: knowing and understanding the shifts, setting a vision for college and career readiness, developing clear metrics to guide the work, building capacity in schools, and staying engaged.
Tri-State Collaborative Rubrics and Review Process
The Tri-State Collaborative (comprised of educational leaders from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York) has developed criterion-based rubrics and review processes to evaluate the quality of units and lessons intended to address the Common Core State Standards for ELA/Literacy and Mathematics. Educators may use the rubrics to evaluate units and lessons and to inform and guide current and future collaborative curriculum development efforts. These resources may also assist in understanding the critical areas of focus in the CCSS.
Criteria for Resources Aligned to Common Core State Standards in Mathematics
Developed by Jason Zimba, one of the authors of the Common Core State Standards, the seven criteria for Resources outlined in this document should prove helpful in guiding the development of curriculum modules and accompanying materials. • Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Mathematics Curriculum Materials Analysis Project [info icon] infotext: The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Mathematics Curriculum Materials Analysis Project has designed a collection of tools to enable educators to evaluate the quality of mathematics curriculum resources with respect to the CCSS. Tools consider a resource’s alignment to both the Standards for Mathematical Content as well as the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Additionally, the document provides a professional development facilitator’s guide, an accompanying Power Point, and a tool relating to the equity, formative assessment options, and technological assets of a resource.
PARCC Model Content Frameworks for ELA/Literacy
Resources to engage educators with the PARCC Model Content Frameworks for ELA/Literacy, Grs. 3-11. The PowerPoint provides background information and overview of the structure of the frameworks for all grade levels. Whereas the Guided Discovery & Discussion aides in facilitating conversations to strengthen one’s understanding of the frameworks for their grade level.
PARCC Model Content Frameworks for Mathematics
A collection of resources intended to summarize the essential matter of the Model Content Frameworks for Mathematics for grades 3 - 8. Organized in chart form by grade level, these documents are meant to be quick, supplemental references to the Frameworks for busy educators. Direct links are provided to the unabridged Frameworks document as well as guiding questions for districts, schools, and individual educators to assist in transitioning to PARCC and the Common Core State Standards.
Transition Planning Resources
- CCSS & PARCC Transition Timeline (PDF) Timeline articulates the expectations of RIDE and Local Education Agencies over the next several years with the implementation of the CCSS and the transition to the PARCC assessment.
- Grade Level Transition Timeline (PDF)
  Timeline illustrates a students’ perspective (standards and assessment) through the CCSS and PARCC transition period. Timeline illustrates potential student experiences with instruction and assessment while transitioning from the GLE/GSEs and NECAP to the CCSS and PARCC.
- Review of System Capacity to Implement the CCSS: Diagnostic Tool for Schools and Districts (DOC)
  This tool will help planning teams in local education agencies (LEAs) and schools assess their current capacity for CCSS implementation.
- LEA Transition Planning PowerPoint - Updated 8/2012 (PPT)
  PowerPoint provides a structure for LEAs to guide thinking of the myriad components for transitioning and implementing the CCSS and PARCC within and across an LEA.
- The Common Core Implementation Checklist for Principals
  The National Association of Elementary School Principals has created a checklist, complete with resource links, intended to assist principals in their responsibilities for implementing the Common Core State Standards. While this may not be a complete list or applicable to all, the checklist provides a thoughtful framework for thinking through making the Common Core State Standards happen in schools.
- LEA CCSS "Get Set!" Benchmarks (PDF)
  Transition Planning document provides LEA benchmarks articulating the expectations for the SY 2012-2013 including actionable steps as LEAs GET SET! for the CCSS and PARCC.
- "GET SET!" School PD Implementation 2012-2013 ELA/Literacy SAMPLE (PDF)
  Document provides a sample of how a school during the SY 2012-2013 can utilize Faculty Meetings and Common Planning Time to deepen educators understanding of the CCSS and PARCC. All content educators (English language arts, social studies/history, science and technical subject areas) engage with a year long, deep study of Writing an Argument.

Resources for families

Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards: This three-minute video explains how the Common Core State Standards will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond. (Council of the Great City Schools)
RI Common Core Videos
Common Core Informational Flyers for Parents
Common Core State Standards Bookmark [PDF]
Common Core State Standards Bookmark (Spanish) [PDF]
"Seeing the Future: How the Common Core Will Affect Mathematics and English Language Arts in Grades 3-12 Across America"
CCSS Overview Video (30 second public service announcement; Spanish & English available)
A Guide for Rhode Island Families [PDF]
Key points about the CCSS and the changes taking place over the next five years. Plus, how parents and families can support a smooth transition.
PTA Parents' Guide to Students' Success
Grade level (K-8 and high school) guides illustrating the main points of what students will be learning in mathematics and English Language Arts / literacy through the CCSS.
- PTA Issue Brief: Common Core State Standards Initiative [PDF]
  Document provides five reasons that the Common Core State Standards are important to parents.
- IDEA Partnership - Dialogue Starter: Common Core State Standards [PDF]
  The Dialogue Starter is a model for conducting interactive discussions about the Common Core across stakeholders. This dialogue starter focuses on the above PTA Issue Brief. For information on how to use a dialogue starter, please go to the IDEA Dialogue Guides page.

Parent Roadmaps: Supporting Your Child
Parent Roadmaps provide guidance to parents/families on what their child will be learning and how they can support that learning. Parent guides in additional languages will be added in the near future.

ELA/Literacy

Grade K [PDF]
Grade 1 [PDF]
Grade 2 [PDF]
Grade 3 [PDF]
Grade 4 [PDF]
Grade 5 [PDF]
Grade 6 [PDF]
Grade 7 [PDF]
Grade 8 [PDF]

Mathematics

Grade K [PDF]
Grade 1 [PDF]
Grade 2 [PDF]
Grade 3 [PDF]
Grade 4 [PDF]
Grade 5 [PDF]
Grade 6 [PDF]
Grade 7 [PDF]
Grade 8 [PDF]

Military Families – CCSS: Will it make a difference for our military- connected students? [PDF]
This pamphlet, developed by the Military Child Education Coalition, provides background on the standards, explains why the Common Core is important to military-connected students, and discusses the new assessments that will accompany the new standards. It also includes four perspectives on the value of the Common Core – a student, a parent, an administrator, and a teacher.

Resources for higher education

RI Common Core Video: Expanding Opportunities: College & Career Readiness

More About PARCC

PARCC Assessment PARCC for ELA/Literacy PARCC for Mathematics

PARCC preparation in Rhode Island

CCSS Implementation Resources

Model Content Frameworks for ELA/Literacy and for Mathematics
CCSS for ELA/Literacy resources for educators
CCSS for Mathematics resources for educators

PARCC Assessment

Technology Readiness

PARCC Technology
This web site contains the most recent version of theTechnology Guidelines For PARCC Assessments, as well as other important technology-related information.