The Common Core State Standards in Tennessee

An Overview

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What are the Common Core State Standards?

Standards: • Represent the goal for what students should learn• Set expectations for what students should know and be able to

do

The Common Core State Standards are a set of clear standards for Math and English Language Arts.

The standards were developed to ensure every student graduates high school prepared for college or the workforce.

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Why Common Core?

Because the Common Core State Standards emphasize…

• Real-world skills in math, reading, and writing (including math without calculators and a focus on basic reading skills in early grades)

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Knowledge and skills needed for success in college and careers

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How were the standards developed?

The initiative was state-led, and Tennessee was represented by content experts in math and English language arts from the state department of education.

A group of governors from the National Governors Association (NGA) and state commissioners from the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) coordinated development.

The public provided input before the standards were finalized. Comments from Tennessee teachers and parents were included in the revision process.

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Standards, not Curriculum

Standards versus Curriculum• Standards = goals for what students should learn, set by the

state• Curriculum = the road map for meeting those goals, set by

local districts and schools

Common Core does not dictate curriculum• Districts, schools, and teachers determine the curriculum using

textbooks and other resources and materials.• In accordance with Tennessee Code 49-6-2207, textbook

adoption is governed strictly by local school boards. • Teachers and central office supervisors make decisions on text

selection based on knowledge of their students, student interest, and judgment of appropriate content. 

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Common Core in the Classroom

Implementation began for math and English language arts in 2011• 2011-12: Teachers in kindergarten through second grade begin

using the standards• 2012-13: Teachers in third grade through eighth grade begin

using the standards for math• 2013-14: Teachers in third grade through twelfth grade begin

using the standards for English language arts; teachers in ninth grade through twelfth grade begin using the standards for math

Teachers from across Tennessee have received training in the Common Core State Standards. • Spring/Summer 2012: more than 13,000 teachers• Summer 2013: more than 29,000 teachers

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How will we know what students are learning?

In the 2014-15 school year: • Per state legislation, the current Tennessee

Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests in math and English Language Arts for grades 3-11, will continue.

• Students in grades 3-11 will take an online writing assessment.

• The department will be field testing social studies TCAP assessments that are aligned to the new social studies standards – there will not be an operational TCAP social studies assessment. The field test results will not be a component of students grades.

• The TCAP science assessments will continue.

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Data Collection

TN has collected student information through TCAP in accordance with state and federal law. New assessments will not change this process.

The federal government does not have access to student-level information housed in state data systems.

The Common Core State Standards are not a tool for data collection.

State implementation of the Common Core State Standards and their related assessments do not require additional data collection beyond what is authorized by current federal law.

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For additional resources and information, visit:

www.TNCore.org

www.ExpectMoreTN.org

Or send questions to: TNCore.Questions@tn.gov