The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new Math and English Language Arts standards for K-12 education known as the New Illinois State Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core.  The goal is to better prepare Illinois students for success in college and the workforce in a competitive global economy. 

These new standards are ~

• Fewer, clearer, higher: It is critical that any standards document be translatable to and teachable in the classroom. As such, the standards must cover only those areas that are critical for student success.
• Evidence-based: Each document includes sources of evidence for the standards. Evidence informed what was included in the standards.
• Internationally benchmarked: These standards are informed by the content, rigor and organization of standards of high-performing countries and states.
• Special populations: In the development of these standards, the inclusion of all types of learners was a priority.
• Assessment: The standards will ultimately be the basis for a system of high quality assessments.
• Standards and curriculum: Standards are not curriculum. The curriculum that follows will continue to be a local responsibility (or state-led, where appropriate).
• 21st century skills: The draft English-language arts and mathematics standards have incorporated 21st century skills.

Currently, only math and English have new standards.  Social studies is due to be released in November and science will follow.  Until they are released and adopted by Illinois, the previous Illinois Learning Standards, which were released in 1997, are still in effect.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.corestandards.org/