Common Core Standards Language Arts in California

2. Are there Differences Between California’s Existing English Language Arts Standards and the New California Common Core Standards?

Yes. For example, the California Common Core Standards are anchored in the College and Career Readiness standards. The California Common Core Standards focus to a greater extent on text complexity, address reading and writing across the curriculum, emphasize informational text, and focus on writing arguments and drawing evidence from sources. The California Common Core Standards build on California’s existing standards in reading foundations.

3. California was Able to Add up to 15% to the CCSS.  What does That Include for English Language Arts?

California added information to the Common Core State Standards for English language arts to address perceived gaps and to ensure that the rigor of California’s existing standards would be maintained. Some examples include the following additions: “formal presentations” in the Speaking and Listening strand (grades 1-12); “penmanship” in the Language strand (grades 2-4); “career and consumer documents” in the Writing strand (grade 8); and “analysis of text features in informational text” in the Reading for Informational Text strand (grades 6-12). Additionally, there are minor insertions of specific words to enhance the standards (e.g., “archetypes” and “thesis”).

The California Common Core Standards for English language arts (including the 15%) are posted on the SCOE website at http://www.scoe.net/castandards/index.html. Select “ELA Common Core State Standards, adopted by SBE on 8/2/10.” The additions are indicated in bold and underlined font.

4. Which Teachers will be Implementing the California Common Core Standards for ELA?

There are grade-level ELA standards for kindergarten through grade eight, and sets of standards for grades 9-10 and 11-12. Depending upon the setting, the classroom teacher or English language-arts teacher will implement these standards.

Additionally, the California Common Core Standards for ELA include literacy standards for history/social studies, science, and technical subjects. For kindergarten through fifth grade, the literacy standards are embedded into the ELA standards. For grades six through twelve, there is a separate set of literacy standards. The responsibility for implementing the literacy standards in grades six through twelve is expected to be shared between the ELA teachers and the teachers in other content areas. The literacy standards complement the content standards in those disciplines.

5. Where can Districts find Assistance to Orient Their Staff to Information about the New California Common Core Standards?

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) has prepared resources and training packages to help district leaders understand the content and issues related to the California Common Core Standards. Information may be found on the SCOE website at http://www.scoe.net/castandards/index.html or by calling (916) 228-2402.