Core Language Arts Programs

The goal of the Common Core State Standards is to ensure that students will have the necessary professional development and also be college- and career-ready in their skills and knowledge by the end of high school. A secondary purpose of core language arts programs is to have consistent criteria of grade-level expectations in English language arts and mathematics across states.

A National Curriculum

The shared learning goals do not constitute a national curriculum.

• They are a list of the skills students need to know by the end of specific grade levels from K-12.
• The standards do not explain how to teach the content, nor do they recommend what materials to use.
• Each state and/or school district decides what school curriculum and sequence of skills to develop in order to comply with the state standards.
• Because schools use different curriculums, there is a wide variety of ways to teach the concepts in neighboring school districts.

Standards for Core Language Arts Programs

The Common Core standards for English language arts (ELA) are grouped into four categories:

1. Reading
2. Language Arts
3. Writing
4. Speaking and Listening

Facts About the Core standards

• When they design school standards, it’s for students to fully understand what they read and hear.
• It’s also intended for students to effectively speak and write about their understanding.
• The standards in Language Arts and Reading are more foundational.
• The standards for Writing and Speaking and Listening involve the application of knowledge and skills.

In conclusion, one activity rich in content can often address several standards. The standards for core language arts programs emphasize that students encounter complex texts at each grade level in order to develop the language skills and conceptual knowledge they need for success in school and life. With guidance from the teacher, students read closely complex texts and build knowledge through content-rich nonfiction. Students build literacy skills and knowledge in multiple disciplines, and must read, write, and speak using evidence grounded in literary and informational texts.