The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a joint project of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to develop common K–12 reading and math standards designed to prepare students for college and their careers.  The effort aims to bring various state curricula into alignment with each other by following the principles of standards-based education reform.

The Initiative's stated purpose is to "provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them."  Moreover. "the standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers," which will place American students in a position fully prepared for the future in which they can compete successfully in a global economy.  To date, forty-eight of the fifty states in the United States are members of the initiative.

As the initiative moves towards implementation, West Covina Unified School District along with other districts in California and the rest of the country are carefully exploring issues that need further consideration.  To learn more about the Common Core Content Standards, start by visiting the page linked below.