The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are very specific standards for each grade level for many subjects we teach.  The goal of the Common Core is to help students develop more rigorous thinking, greater critical thinking skills, and be ready to compete in the global market when they are adults. Forty-five states have adopted the Common Core including Oregon. The 4j school district has been moving toward full implementation of the Common Core and we teachers have been studying and teaching to these standards, especially in mathematics. The recent report card shows the categories now taught and assessed to meet these standards.  Next year the Reading portion of the report card will also be correlated to the Common Core.

If your student did not yet meet a particular standard on the recent report card, please do not be concerned.  I expect your child to meet the standards by the end of the year. We are working hard to help every child meet these more rigorous standards.  The school district has supplied teachers with extra curriculum, resources and professional development to help us.

There has been much controversy surrounding the Common Core but nevertheless, teachers don’t shy from a challenge and are doing our best to implement every aspect of the expectations.