The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of learning standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
These standards will replace existing state standards in these subject areas. CCSS for Science and Social Studies are also in development.
See http://corestandards.org for the infomercial.
Who Developed Common Core State Standards
Despite being called “State Standards”, Common Core State Standards were not developed by the states! Two trade associations, the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) together formed the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) in 2009. These trade associations are unelected associations based in Washington D.C.
In spring 2009, 48 states signed a Memorandum of Agreement committing to voluntary participation in a process leading to adoption of the CCSS. In September 2009, a draft of College and Career Readiness Standards was released. In March 2010, the first and only public draft of the K-12 Common Core State Standards for ELA and Math were released. In June 2010, the final K-12 Common Core State Standards were released.
It’s important to point out that there were no Governors, State Superintendents of Schools, or State Legislators actively involved in the process of creating the Common Core State Standards. There were also no state administrative or legislative staff involved in creating the standards. The role of state governments was literally restricted to signing onto the standards created by the two trade associations, the NGA and the CCSSO. Many of the states that did sign onto Common Core State Standards did so to receive waivers to No Child Left Behind requirements or to qualify for Race To The Top money. They were literally bribed into signing onto the standards before they were even drafted.