Common Core Literacy Standards?

The Common Core State Standards Initiative, sponsored by the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers, has published a draft of K-12 standards for literacy and math.  The core standards have been linked with Race to the Top funds.
The literacy standards include an articulated set of K-12 skills designed to "help ensure that all students are college and career ready in literacy by no later than the end of high school."

The document outlines a rationale and skill set for reading in the content areas which aligns with our approach to integrating reading in the content areas: "The student who is college and career ready... build[s] strong content knowledge. 

• Students establish a base of knowledge across a wide range of subject matter by engaging with works of quality and substance.
• They become proficient in new areas through research and study.
• They read purposefully and listen attentively to gain both general knowledge and discipline-specific expertise.
• They refine and share their knowledge through writing and speaking."

The draft also includes Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies & Science:

"Just as students must learn to communicate effectively in a variety of content areas, so too must the Standards specify the literacy skills and understandings required for eventual college and career readiness in history, social studies, and science as well as ELA [English Language Arts]."

The draft also includes appendices which outline supporting research, provide student writing samples for each grade level, and identify text exemplars (titles, excerpts, and media links). 

What do you think?  Check out the standards - they are open for public feedback through April 2.

For an overview of the standards and political controversy, read the Associated Press (AP) report hosted by Google or Washington Post review.  Read more at Education Week.