Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/315828
Feature Changes in California's state standards present opportunities and challenges By Sherry Posnick-Goodwin S O W H AT ' S N E X T ? It's the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). California is standing on the brink of one the biggest changes ever to happen in education. For the first time in our nation's history, national standards have become a reality for 46 states, including California, but they are not without controversy. We've been covering the CCSS in this magazine for more than a year now, and we've heard from members who have strong opinions for and against the standards, and some who just aren't sure yet. What we do know is the standards are rocking the world of everyone in public education. For implementation to be a success, it will take time, thoughtfulness, commitment, and a willingness to work together, which is exactly how California is approaching this big shift. Many states are looking to our commonsense approach to implementing the Common Core State Standards with envy. Change is never easy. But it is ever constant — especially in education. That's because we are preparing our children to enter a world that is constantly changing and helping them prepare for what's new and what's next. P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S C O T T B U S C H M A N MAKING SENSE OF THE COMMON CORE 9 www.cta.org M AY 2 0 1 4 Educator 05 May 2014 v1.6 int.indd 9 5/16/14 3:21 PM