The Common Core Standards (Idiot's Guides)

In an effort to ensure that all U.S. students are equally prepared for college and careers, new academic standards for Kindergarten through 12th grade have been established and adopted by nearly every state. Idiot's Guides: The Common Core Standards helps parents, students, teachers, and administrators understand the details of this historic initiative. An outline of what makes these standards different from previous statewide standards; a grade level breakdown of the standards for English, math, and other subject areas; details of how students' learning will change under the Common Core; ways parents can help students at home; information on the assessments that students will take; and answers to the most commonly asked questions are all included.

Jared T. Bigham, EdD, is the director of College and Career Readiness with Tennessee SCORE, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education, where he oversees support for implementing Common Core standards statewide. Dr. Bigham serves on Tennessee's Common Core Leadership Council, and is the former executive director of the Tennessee Rural Education Association, of which he is a board member. He is a former elementary and high school principal, former elementary language arts and middle school science teacher, and a father of two. Jared is a nationally recognized speaker on education policy and leadership, and a guest blogger for multiple online education publications.