The new Education Trust—West report, Catching up to the Core: Common Sense Strategies for Accelerating Access to the Common Core in California, finds that California has fallen far behind other states, and even some local school districts, in implementing the new English-language arts and math Common Core State Standards. This lack of progress only two years before new assessments aligned with the new standards are expected to come online will leave millions of California students trailing their peers in other states. The report profiles best practices used in implementing the CCSS in forward-looking states and school districts, including some in California. It highlights promising work in teacher professional development, instructional materials, technology, and alignment with systems of higher education, particularly in teacher preparation. The report concludes with common sense recommendations for California policymakers. These include improving public understanding of the Common Core, expanding educator professional development, aligning instructional materials, and addressing technology infrastructure and capacity needs.
