Illinois Common Core Standards: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

The Illinois Common Core Standards (ICCS) are a set of educational standards that define what students should know and be able to do in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics from kindergarten through 12th grade. The ICCS were adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in 2010 and are based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which have been adopted by most states in the United States.

The ICCS are designed to ensure that all students are college and career ready. They are based on the research evidence of effective teaching and learning practices. The ICCS are also aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which are a set of K-12 science standards that have been adopted by most states in the United States.

The ICCS are organized into four domains:

• English Language Arts: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening
• Mathematics: Number and operations, algebra, geometry, and measurement and data
• Science: Physical science, life science, earth science, and space science
• Social Studies: History, civics, economics, and geography

The ICCS are not a curriculum. They are a set of standards that describe what students should know and be able to do. The ISBE does not provide a specific curriculum for schools to use. Schools are responsible for developing their own curriculum that is aligned with the ICCS.

The ICCS have been the subject of some controversy. Some people argue that the ICCS are too rigorous and that they are not appropriate for all students. Others argue that the ICCS are necessary to ensure that all students are college and career ready.

The ISBE has made a number of resources available to help schools and teachers implement the ICCS. These resources include:

• A website with information about the ICCS, including the standards and resources for teachers and parents
• A helpline for teachers and parents with questions about the ICCS
• A network of regional support centers that provide training and support to schools and teachers

The ICCS are a important set of standards that are designed to ensure that all students are college and career ready. The ISBE has made a number of resources available to help schools and teachers implement the ICCS.

Benefits of the Illinois Common Core Standards

The ICCS have a number of benefits for students, teachers, and parents. For students, the ICCS:

• Provide a clear and consistent set of expectations for what students should know and be able to do
• Help students to develop the skills they need to be successful in college and careers
• Prepare students for the global economy

For teachers, the ICCS:

• Provide a framework for planning and delivering instruction
• Help teachers to identify students' strengths and weaknesses
• Support teachers in differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students

For parents, the ICCS:

• Help parents to understand what their children are learning in school
• Provide a way to track their children's progress
• Support parents in helping their children to be successful in school

Concerns about the Illinois Common Core Standards

There are some concerns about the ICCS. Some people argue that the ICCS are too rigorous and that they are not appropriate for all students. Others argue that the ICCS are too narrow and that they do not focus on the skills that students need to be successful in the 21st century economy.

The ISBE has addressed these concerns by making a number of changes to the ICCS. In 2015, the ISBE released a revised version of the ICCS that included a number of changes, such as:

• A reduction in the number of standards
• A clarification of the standards
• A greater emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving

The ISBE has also made a number of resources available to help schools and teachers implement the ICCS. These resources include:

• A website with information about the ICCS, including the standards and resources for teachers and parents
• A helpline for teachers and parents with questions about the ICCS
• A network of regional support centers that provide training and support to schools and teachers

The ICCS are a important set of standards that are designed to ensure that all students are college and career ready. The ISBE has made a number of changes to the ICCS to address the concerns that have been raised. The ISBE has also made a number of resources available to help schools and teachers implement the ICCS.

Implementation of the Illinois Common Core Standards

The ICCS are being implemented in schools across Illinois. The ISBE has provided a number of resources to help schools and teachers implement the ICCS. These resources include:

• A website with information about the ICCS, including the standards and resources for teachers and parents
• A helpline for teachers and parents with questions about the ICCS
• A network of regional support centers that provide training and support to schools and teachers

The ISBE is also working with a number of organizations to help implement the ICCS. These organizations include:

• The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
• The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• The College Board
• The ACT, Inc.

The ICCS are being implemented in a variety of ways. Some schools are using a whole-school approach, in which the entire school is focused on implementing the ICCS. Other schools are using a more gradual approach, in which they are implementing the ICCS one grade level at a time.

The implementation of the ICCS is an ongoing process. The ISBE is working with schools and teachers to ensure that the ICCS are implemented in a way that is effective for all students.

Assessment of the Illinois Common Core Standards

The ICCS are being assessed by a number of different organizations. The ISBE is working with a number of organizations to develop and administer assessments that are aligned with the ICCS. These organizations include:

• The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)
• The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
• The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

The results of these assessments will be used to track the progress of students in Illinois. The ISBE will use this information to make decisions about the implementation of the ICCS.

The ICCS are a important set of standards that are designed to ensure that all students are college and career ready. The ISBE is working with a number of organizations to implement and assess the ICCS. The ISBE is committed to ensuring that the ICCS are implemented in a way that is effective for all students.

Resources for the Illinois Common Core Standards

The following are some resources for the ICCS:

• The ISBE website: https://www.isbe.net/common-core
• The NCTM website: https://www.nctm.org/Standards-and-Positions/Common-Core-State-Standards/
• The NCTE website: https://www.ncte.org/standards
• The College Board website: https://www.collegeboard.org/
• The ACT, Inc. website: https://www.act.org/

The ICCS are a important set of standards that are designed to ensure that all students are college and career ready. The ISBE has made a number of resources available to help schools and teachers implement the ICCS. The ICCS are being implemented in a variety of ways. The ISBE is working with a number of organizations to assess the ICCS. The ISBE is committed to ensuring that the ICCS are implemented in a way that is effective for all students.