“I think it’s about time that we implement the Common Core State Standards. It’ll give consistency district to district. We should have done this years ago.”
—Middle School Teacher
IMPLEMENTATION
Half (52%) of teachers who currently teach math and/or English language arts in Common Core states say that implementation in their school is fully complete or mostly complete in at least one of these areas. Forty- two percent (42%) say implementation is in its early stages. Just 6% say implementation has not started.
Among teachers who teach math, English language arts, science and/or social studies in schools where Common Core implementation has started, 62% agree that implementation of the Common Core State Standards is going well in their school. This number increases to 67% among teachers in elementary grades where implementation is happening first; however, middle school and high school teachers are less likely to agree (60% and 52% respectively). Sixty- four percent (64%) of math and/or English language arts teachers agree implementation is going well.
Overall, 73% of teachers who teach math, English language arts, science and/or social studies in Common Core states agree that they are enthusiastic about the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in their classrooms. Elementary school teachers are more likely to agree at 81%, while middle school and high school teachers are less likely to agree (71% and 57% respectively). Seventy-seven percent (77%) of math and/or English language arts teachers agree that they are enthusiastic.
Teachers’ Agreement with the Statement: I am enthusiastic about the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in my classroom, in Total and by Grade(s) Taught
Base: Teach in a CCSS Adoption State and Teach Math, ELA, Science or Social Studies
At the same time, 73% of teachers who teach math, English language arts, science and/or social studies in Common Core states believe implementing the standards is or will be challenging.
“Principals and evaluators have to understand we’re all new at this. We’re not going to be perfect.”
—Elementary School Teacher
Agreement with Statement: I believe implementing the Common Core State Standards is challenging or is going to be challenging
Base: Teach in a CCSS Adoption State and Teach Math, ELA, Science and/or Social Studies
Seventy-four percent (74%) of all teachers in Common Core states say implementation will require them to make changes in their teaching practice.
“We had a meeting the other day and they said it won’t change what we teach, but how we teach it.”
—High School Teacher
Teachers’ Views on Whether Implementation of the Common Core State Standards Has Required or Will Require Changes to Teaching Practice, in Total and by Grade(s) Taught
Base: Teach in a CCSS Adoption State
In order to successfully implement the Common Core State Standards in their classrooms, the number one need reported by math and/or English language arts teachers (76%) is more planning time to find materials and lessons plans. Quality professional development follows closely, with 72% of teachers reporting a need for this.
When asked about student populations in their classrooms meeting the Common Core State Standards, teachers in Common Core states are most concerned about students who are currently working two or more grades below grade-level (40%) and special education students (26%).
For these students, as well as for students who are on grade-level and who are English language learners, teachers rank age-appropriate, leveled instructional materials as the number one need to help students meet the Common Core State Standards.