Skip Navigation
Departments & Programs > Elementary Math > Common Core State Standards

Common Core State Standards

What are the Common Core State Standards?

Building on the excellent foundation of standards states have laid, the Common Core State Standards are the first step in providing our young people with a high-quality education. It should be clear to every student, parent, and teacher what the standards of success are in every school.

Teachers, parents and community leaders have all weighed in to help create the Common Core State Standards. The standards clearly communicate what is expected of students at each grade level. This will allow our teachers to be better equipped to know exactly what they need to help students learn and establish individualized benchmarks for them. The Common Core State Standards focus on core conceptual understandings and procedures starting in the early grades, thus enabling teachers to take the time needed to teach core concepts and procedures well—and to give students the opportunity to master them.

The Common Core will be fully implemented by 2014. Washington County Public Schools begain preparing for transition to the common core by providing professional development for teachers on The Standards for Mathematical Practices, which  describe varieties of expertise that mathematics educators at all levels should seek to develop in their students. As WCPS begins transition to the Common Core State Standards, regional informational meetings will be held for parents and stakeholders. 

Additional Common Core State Standards information:

The Common Core State Standards Website

Common Core State Standards Key Points in Mathematics

Information on Common Core State Standards in Maryland