Common Core Standards Math in California

2. How are the California Common Core Standards for Mathematics Organized?

There are grade-level standards for kindergarten through eighth grade, a set of standards for Algebra 1, and conceptual cluster standards for grades nine to twelve (e.g., number and quantity, algebra, functions, modeling, geometry, and statistics and probability). The standards for kindergarten through eighth grade are categorized by standard, domain, and cluster.

3. What Options do the California Common Core Standards Provide for Eighth Grade Students?

The goal is for eighth grade students to successfully complete Algebra 1. However, because not all eighth grade students have the necessary prerequisite skills for Algebra 1, there will be two options for students. Eighth grade California Common Core Standards will be provided to students who are not yet ready for algebra, and the other students will learn the Algebra 1 standards. Each set of standards is designed to prepare students for college and careers. The standards for kindergarten through seventh grade were augmented to prepare eighth grade students for either set of standards.

4. What is the Content of the California Common Core Standards for Algebra I?

The new Algebra I standards are a combination of standards from the eighth grade common core, the Algebra content cluster, and California’s existing Algebra I standards.

5. California was Able to Add up to 15% to the Common Core State Standards.  What Does that Include for Mathematics?

California added information to the Common Core State Standards for mathematics to address perceived gaps and to ensure that the rigor of California’s existing standards would be maintained. For example, California’s standards for “calculus” and “advanced placement probability and statistics” were added to the California Common Core Standards. In grades two and five, standards were added to the domain of “Operations and Algebraic Thinking.” Substantial sections were added to existing clusters such as ”High School Algebra-Seeing Structure in Expression,” and “Grade 6 - the number system.” In other instances, some language was added to existing standards such as in the Grade 2 Measurement and Data domain, “working with time and money” cluster, standards #7 and #8, and the Grade 4 Geometry domain, standard #2.

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