Indiana has established comprehensive academic standards that clearly outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and subject area.

For English/Language Arts, Literacy, and Mathematics, The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recently adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) following approval from Indianas Education Roundtable and State Board of Education. Indiana joins a consortium of states that have adopted the standards so far. The CCSS aim to create consistent national benchmarks for all students, regardless of their home state.

The current transition plan for the CCSS allows teachers to continue using the Indiana academic standards during the 2010-2011 academic year. Schools will begin teaching the CCSS in the 2011-2012 academic year, resulting in a fully implemented Common Core State Standards program by 2014-2015. School accountability will use the current standards until that time.

Please Note:  The 2009 Academic Standards for Mathematics have been removed. These standards will not be taught. Indiana will continue to teach the 2000 Indiana's Academic Standards for Mathematics until the full transition is made to the Common Core State Standards.

The CCSS were developed by two associations: the National Governors Association and the Chief Council of State School Officers in collaboration with representatives from participating states and a wide range of educators, content experts, researchers, national organizations and community groups. Forty-eight states and two territories have indicated they plan to adopt the standards, resulting in a vast majority of U.S. students being taught the same critical skills.

The Common Core State Standards offer many other benefits:

• CCSS will help prepare all students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and careers.
  
• They will help students who move between states by ensuring their curriculum remains intact. States can align textbooks, digital media, and curricula to these internationally benchmarked standards.
  
• They will allow for more focused pre-service education and professional development.
  
• The CCSS will create potential economies of scale around areas such as curriculum, instructional resources, and assessment. These areas will be strengthened and aligned with the CCSS.
  
• Common standards provide the opportunity to compare and evaluate policies that affect student achievement across states and districts.
  
• They create the opportunity for America to compete for high-wage, high-skill jobs in a knowledge-based economy.