In 2009, Idaho worked with other states to develop new academic standards in mathematics and English language arts that would be higher, fewer, clearer and comparable with any other country in the world.
Background on the Idaho Core Standards
In Idaho, we face a challenge. While Idaho students perform well academically in grades K-12, too many students graduate from high school unprepared for the rigors of postsecondary education or the workforce. Other states face the same challenge. Therefore, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna decided to 
work together through a voluntary, state-led effort to find solutions to this challenge. This became known as the Common Core State Standards Initiative. The Initiative was a voluntary, state-led effort, facilitated by state-led organizations the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
Working together, states developed standards that define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so they will graduate from high school able to succeed beyond high school in post-secondary education and the workforce. Throughout the process, drafts of the standards were revised by states and made available for teachers, school administrators and others in each state to review and provide input.
The standards that were developed:
- Are aligned with college and workforce expectations;
- Are clear, understandable, and consistent;
- Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
- Build upon strengths and lessons of current Idaho state standards;
- Were informed by standards in other top-performing countries; and
- Are evidence-based.
After Idaho voluntarily chose to adopt these standards, they became known as Idaho's Core Standards.
The Process
- November 2007
Superintendent Luna meets with other state chiefs to discuss the possibility of developing common standards through a state-led effort. - April 2009
State Chiefs and Governors meet in Chicago to formalize the process of developing common standards in mathematics and English language arts through a state-led process. - May 2009
Interested states sign a Memorandum of Agreement to work together through a state-led process without the involvement of the federal government. - June 2010
States publish the final standards, known as Common Core State Standards in mathematics and English language arts. - July 2010
Idaho teachers review the standards and provide a comprehensive gap analysis comparing Idaho’s previous standards and the new standards. - Summer 2010
The Idaho State Department of Education hosts regional public meetings across the state to gather input from educators, parents and patrons. - August 2010
The Idaho State Board of Education provides initial review of the standards and holds 21-day public comment period. - November 2010
The Idaho State Board of Education adopts the standards at a public meeting. - January 2011
The House and Senate Education Committees of the Idaho Legislature vote to give final approval to adopt the standards as Idaho Core Standards in mathematics and English language arts.
Timeline of Implementation of Idaho Core Standards
Learn More About Common Assessment Here
Additional Information
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US Department of Education, April 23, 2013
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English Language Learners
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Students with Disabilities
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Links
Common Core State Standards
Initiative
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State Adoption
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Achieve
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Memorandum of Agreement to Develop Common Core State Standards, 2009
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Letter of Support from Fordham Institute, March 22, 2013
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Gap Analysis
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ELA
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Math
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Presentations
Powerpoints
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Regional Public Meeting
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Regional CCSS Training - Fall 2011
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CCSS Leadership Summit - May 13, 2011
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ELA Idaho Leadership PPT
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SBAC SMARTER Summary May 2011
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CCSS PowerPoint
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Gearing Up (CCSS Leadership Summit) - MATH
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Title I Conference
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ELA Challenges and success of the twentieth Century
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Title I Conference
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Assessment Brief
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CCSS - ELA Overview
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CCSS - Math Overview
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Contact Information:
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Scott Cook Content Director (208) 332-6927 scook@sde.idaho.gov |
Diann Roberts ELA/Reading Coordinator (208) 332-6948 droberts@sde.idaho.gov |
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Christine Avila Mathematics Coordinator (208) 332-6932 cavila@sde.idaho.gov |