United States State-level Educational Standards

United States

A collaborative set of educational standards adopted by the majority of U.S. states to ensure consistent, high-quality learning goals in K-12 education. The framework focuses on college and career readiness through rigorous content and the application of knowledge via higher-order thinking skills.

United States State-level Educational Standards Framework (Common Core, Next Generation Science, and C3 Framework)

A collaborative set of educational standards adopted by the majority of U.S. states to ensure consistent, high-quality learning goals in K-12 education. The framework focuses on college and career readiness through rigorous content and the application of knowledge via higher-order thinking skills.

Governing Body: Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), National Governors Association (NGA), and National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

Year Adopted: 2010 (CCSS), 2013 (NGSS/C3)

Grade Levels Covered

Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, High School (9-10), High School (11-12)

English Language Arts & Literacy

Kindergarten

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1 Reading: Literature

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

Key skills: Questioning, Detail recall, Active listening
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.1 Reading: Foundational Skills

Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.

Key skills: Left-to-right tracking, Letter-word recognition, Print awareness

Grade 5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2 Reading: Informational Text

Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

Key skills: Summarization, Main idea identification, Evidence analysis
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.1 Writing

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

Key skills: Argumentative writing, Structure, Evidence-based claims

Grade 8

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3 Reading: Literature

Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Key skills: Character analysis, Plot dynamics, Textual inference
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1 Language

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Key skills: Grammar, Active/Passive voice, Mood of verbs

High School (9-12)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1 Reading: Informational Text

Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

Key skills: Advanced citation, Inference, Ambiguity analysis

Mathematics

Kindergarten

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.1 Counting & Cardinality

Count to 100 by ones and by tens.

Key skills: Number sequencing, Rote counting, Base-ten foundation
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1 Operations & Algebraic Thinking

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

Key skills: Basic operations, Mathematical modeling, Problem solving

Grade 5

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NBT.B.7 Number & Operations in Base Ten

Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value.

Key skills: Decimal operations, Place value, Computational fluency
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.A.1 Number & Operations—Fractions

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

Key skills: Fraction equivalence, Common denominators, Fraction arithmetic

Grade 8

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.C.7 Expressions & Equations

Solve linear equations in one variable.

Key skills: Algebraic manipulation, Variable isolation, Linear relationships
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.G.B.7 Geometry

Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in real-world and mathematical problems.

Key skills: Pythagorean Theorem, Geometric reasoning, Spatial visualization

High School (9-12)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.IF.C.7 Functions

Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by hand in simple cases and using technology for more complicated cases.

Key skills: Function graphing, Domain/Range, Graphical interpretation

Science (NGSS)

Kindergarten

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: Experimental design, Force observation, Motion analysis

Grade 5

5-PS1-1 Physical Science

Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

Key skills: Atomic theory basics, Modeling, Abstract reasoning
5-ESS2-1 Earth and Space Science

Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.

Key skills: Systems thinking, Earth systems, Environmental interaction

Grade 8 (Middle School)

MS-LS1-1 Life Science

Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

Key skills: Microscopy, Cell theory, Biological classification

High School (9-12)

HS-PS1-1 Physical Science

Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.

Key skills: Periodic trends, Chemical bonding, Predictive modeling

Social Studies (C3 Framework)

Kindergarten - Grade 2

D2.Civ.2.K-2 Civics

Explain how all people, not just official leaders, play important roles in a community.

Key skills: Community roles, Civic participation, Leadership concepts

Grade 3 - Grade 5

D2.His.3.3-5 History

Generate questions about individuals and groups who have shaped significant historical changes and continuities.

Key skills: Historical inquiry, Biographical study, Change over time

Grade 6 - Grade 8

D2.Eco.1.6-8 Economics

Explain how economic decisions affect the well-being of individuals, businesses, and society.

Key skills: Economic reasoning, Incentives, Resource allocation

High School (9-12)

D2.Geo.5.9-12 Geography

Evaluate how political and economic decisions throughout time have influenced cultural and environmental characteristics of various places and regions.

Key skills: Geopolitical analysis, Human-environment interaction, Regional study

Implementation Notes

Standards are adopted at the state level but implemented through local district curricula. The Common Core (Math/ELA) and NGSS (Science) provide performance expectations, while the C3 Framework provides an 'Inquiry Arc' for social studies. Teachers use these as benchmarks to design daily lessons and select instructional materials.

Assessment

Student progress is typically measured through state-mandated standardized tests (e.g., Smarter Balanced, PARCC, or custom state assessments). These assessments are designed to test the depth of understanding and the ability to apply skills to new contexts rather than simple rote memorization.

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