California makes revisions to the CCSS for mathematics

Every state that adopts the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has a degree of flexibility in terms of what it adds to them. That is why adopters of the CCSS, such as California, are still making revisions to the Standards.

When California adopted the CCSS in 2010, the State Board of Education at the time also took on an eighth-grade algebra I course that was not aligned with the CCSS for mathematics. Recently, the California Department of Education announced that the current Board voted to replace this course and replace it with an appropriate option.

In addition, the Board's actions will help remove current sixth- and seventh-grade standards that are considered redundant.

"The Common Core - and common sense - calls for students' progress in mathematics to be based on their readiness to advance - not a timeline or a mandate from Sacramento," said Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of public instruction. "Making this change now will help our schools make the transition to Common Core, and marks another step in our push to provide students the practical, real-world skills they need."