Mathematics Standards

For over a decade, research on math education in high-performing countries has shown that the U.S. needs a more focused and coherent approach to improve math achievement. To address this, the Common Core math standards were created to tackle the issue of a curriculum that’s "a mile wide and an inch deep."

These standards are built on the best practices from high-quality math standards across various states. They also incorporate important international models and insights from research, educators, state education departments, and the public to ensure they are effective and meaningful.

The math standards aim to be clear and specific, focusing on key concepts and how they connect to broader mathematical principles like place value and the laws of arithmetic. This approach ensures students not only learn the concepts but also understand how to apply them in different situations.

The sequence of topics in the standards respects what we know about how students learn math over time. As students progress through grades, they will face carefully designed challenges that help build their knowledge step by step. The standards are based on research about how mathematical understanding develops, making sure that students are prepared for college, careers, and real-world problem-solving.

The Common Core focuses on a clear set of math skills and concepts, teaching them in an organized way throughout the school year and across different grades. The goal is to help students apply these concepts to solve real-world problems.

What Does Understanding Math Look Like?

These standards define what students should know and be able to do in math. But understanding math goes beyond just knowing the right answer—it’s about explaining why something is true. Teachers can assess understanding by asking students to justify their answers in a way that’s appropriate for their level of learning.

Both mathematical understanding and procedural skills are important, and students will be assessed on both. Tasks that challenge students to think deeply will help measure their progress in these areas.