Common Core Standards California (page 3)

Frameworks and Instructional Materials

5. What is the Timeline for new Frameworks and Instructional Materials Adoptions?

In the past, California has had a cycle for revising the curriculum frameworks to incorporate new research, standards, and other appropriate information. The frameworks provide guidance about subject area content and standards implementation in the subsequent curriculum adoptions. A new schedule will be developed as the California Common Core Standards implementation plan unfolds. California’s Race to the Top application indicated that one possible schedule for framework development and curriculum adoption might be:

• Adopt new frameworks
  • Mathematics (January 2012) and English-Language Arts (January 2014)
• Adopt new instructional materials
  • Mathematics (August 2014) and English-Language Arts (August 2016)
• New instructional materials available for schools
  • Mathematics (December 2014) and English-Language Arts (December 2016)

California will be working to identify funds to support this new work.

6. What Instructional Materials Should be Used Until New Materials Aligned to the California Common Core Standards are Available?

In July 2009, the adoption of instructional materials and the development of new frameworks were suspended until the 2013-14 school year (Assembly Bill X4 2). Districts have the choice to purchase materials from the most recent adoption (2008 English language arts and 2007 mathematics), or continue using materials from the previous adoption cycle to support the academic achievement of our students.

Assessment

7. How Will the State’s Assessment System Change to Align with the California Common Core Standards?

The California Department of Education and the State Board of Education are developing a plan for implementing the California Common Core Standards that will include changes in state assessments. California is participating in a 26-state consortium: the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The states in this collaborative effort will develop a set of K-12, standards-based mathematics and English language arts assessments. When implemented, the assessments will provide a common method to measure and report the performance of students.

8. When Will the New Assessments be Administered?

The California Department of Education and the State Board of Education are developing the California Common Core Standards implementation plan. This plan will provide details about how the transition process will be phased in over several years. The new assessments developed by PARCC are expected to be ready for states to administer by the 2014-2015 school year. Piloting and field-testing will occur during the years that precede 2014-2015.

9. Where Can I Find Information about the PARCC Assessment Plans?

Information about the PARCC assessment consortium can be found online at: http://www.achieve.org/files/CCSS&Assessments.pdf.