Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks

Massachusetts, United States

The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks provide teachers, students, and families with clear and shared expectations for what all students should know and be able to do at the end of each year. They are designed to ensure all students in the Commonwealth have access to the same high-quality academic content, regardless of their background or abilities.

Massachusetts Pre-K to 12 Curriculum Frameworks

The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks provide teachers, students, and families with clear and shared expectations for what all students should know and be able to do at the end of each year. They are designed to ensure all students in the Commonwealth have access to the same high-quality academic content, regardless of their background or abilities.

Governing Body: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Year Adopted: 2017 (ELA/Math), 2016 (Science), 2018 (History)

Grade Levels Covered

Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, High School (9-12)

English Language Arts and Literacy

Kindergarten

MA.ELA.RL.K.1 Reading: Literature

With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

Key skills: Text comprehension, Questioning, Identifying details
MA.ELA.RF.K.3 Reading: Foundational Skills

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Key skills: Letter-sound correspondence, Decoding, Phonological awareness

Grade 3

MA.ELA.RI.3.2 Reading: Informational Text

Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.

Key skills: Main idea identification, Summarizing, Supporting evidence
MA.ELA.W.3.1 Writing

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

Key skills: Argumentative writing, Structure, Reasoning

Grade 8

MA.ELA.RL.8.1 Reading: Literature

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Key skills: Evidence citation, Inference, Critical analysis

Mathematics

Kindergarten

MA.MATH.K.CC.A.1 Counting and Cardinality

Count to 100 by ones and by tens.

Key skills: Number sequencing, Skip counting, Oral counting
MA.MATH.K.OA.A.1 Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds, acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations.

Key skills: Modeling operations, Early arithmetic, Problem solving

Grade 5

MA.MATH.5.NBT.A.1 Number and Operations in Base Ten

Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

Key skills: Place value, Multiplication by 10, Division by 10
MA.MATH.5.NF.A.1 Number and Operations—Fractions

Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions.

Key skills: Equivalent fractions, Finding common denominators, Fraction arithmetic

High School (Algebra I)

MA.MATH.AI.A.REI.B.3 Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities

Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations with coefficients represented by letters.

Key skills: Algebraic manipulation, Solving for variables, Inequality notation

Science and Technology/Engineering

Kindergarten

MA.STE.K-PS2-1 Physical Science

Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.

Key skills: Scientific inquiry, Forces, Observation

Grade 4

MA.STE.4-ESS2-1 Earth and Space Science

Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.

Key skills: Data collection, Earth systems, Erosion patterns

High School (Biology)

MA.STE.HS-LS1-1 Life Science

Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Key skills: Genetic coding, Protein synthesis, Cellular biology

History and Social Science

Grade 1

MA.HSS.1.T1.1 Civics: Communities, Elections, and Leadership

Explain the meaning of a community and the different types of communities to which a person can belong.

Key skills: Community awareness, Social identity, Civic participation

Grade 3

MA.HSS.3.T1.1 Massachusetts Cities and Towns Today and in History

On a map of the world and of North America, locate the United States, Massachusetts, and the local town or city.

Key skills: Map reading, Geography, Spatial orientation

Grade 8

MA.HSS.8.T1.1 United States and Massachusetts Government and Civic Life

Explain the historical and philosophical origins of American government and the concept of a self-governing people.

Key skills: Political philosophy, Historical context, Constitutional principles

Implementation Notes

Massachusetts standards are unique in that they integrate the Common Core State Standards with state-specific enhancements (indicated by standard codes starting with 'MA'). Educators are encouraged to use 'Model Curriculum Units' provided by DESE which align with these standards. The frameworks also emphasize 'Guiding Principles' such as high expectations, equity, and the integration of technology.

Assessment

Student proficiency is primarily measured through the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). MCAS tests are administered annually in ELA and Mathematics for grades 3-8 and 10, and in Science and Technology/Engineering for grades 5, 8, and High School.

About This Standard
Added:
January 13, 2026

This standard was generated using AI with grounded search to find official, accurate information. While we strive for accuracy, please verify important details with official sources.

More from United States

Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) - Education Standards

Maryland

College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards
Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards

Florida

See something inaccurate?

This content was generated by AI using official sources. If you notice any errors or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know.

Send Feedback