K-12 CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION/
NC STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY

DIRECTOR :: Maria Pitre-Martin

MISSION :: Our mission is to provide leadership and support to educators across the State of North Carolina to build and reinforce the Common Core State Standards and North Carolina Essential Standards, to implement the North Carolina State Board of Education goals, and to inform, clarify and disseminate state and federal policies and laws.

VISION :: To help ensure that every student graduates from high school ready for a post-secondary education or career.

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STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY

North Carolina established a Standard Course of Study in 1898 as an attempt at determining competencies for each grade level and each high school course, with a rigorous set of academic standards that is uniform across the state. Based on a philosophy of teaching and learning that is consistent with current research, exemplary practices, and national standards, North Carolina educators seek to provide the most appropriate education possible for the diverse learners in the public schools of the state in order to prepare all students to become successful, contributing members of a 21 st century society and global economy.

The Standard Course of Study includes the curriculum that should be made available to every child in North Carolina's public schools. Many public schools in the state presently offer an even more comprehensive curriculum. Therefore, in some curriculum areas, electives were also included. The Standard Course of Study is part of the Department of Public Instruction continual improvement efforts. The curriculum will be revised on a regular basis to remain consistent with the changing needs of our nation, state, and local communities. Moving forward the new North Carolina Standard Course of Study will consist of the Common Core State Standards and the North Carolina Essential Standards.

STANDARDS AREA


COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS AND ESSENTIAL STANDARDS

Starting with the 2012-2013 school year, the new Common Core State Standards and the North Carolina Essential standards will be taught and assessed.


Common Core State Standards
North Carolina adopted the Common Core State Standards in K-12 Mathematics and K-12 English Language Arts released by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. With the adoption of these state-led education standards, North Carolina is in the first group of states to embrace clear and consistent goals for learning to prepare children for success in college and work.


Essential Standards
The Essential Standards includes the standards for the newly adopted curriculum in the following areas: English as a Second Language, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Arts Education and Healthful Living.

Common Core State Standards and Essential Standard Resources


SELECTED LINKS

Career Technical Education
The mission of career-technical education (CTE) is to help empower students for effective participation in an international economy as world-class workers and citizens. Competency-based courses are offered in eight program areas, with each area having school-based, work-based, or community-based learning opportunities.

Extended Content Standards
The State Board of Education approved new Extended Content Standards based on the State Common Core Standards and the State Essential Standards. These will be operational for the 2012-13 school year. Questions regarding the Extended Content Standards should be directed to the Exceptional Children division.

Occupational Course of Study
The State Board of Education approved new Standards for the Occupational Course of Study based on the State Common Core Standards and the State Essential Standards. These will be operational for the 2012-13 school year. Questions regarding the Occupational Course of Study should be directed to the Exceptional Children division.

Graduation Project: Standards of Quality and Verification Process for High School Accountability
(pdf, 586kb)

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Smarter Balanced is a state-led consortium developing assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards in English language arts/literacy and mathematics that are designed to help prepare all students to graduate high school college- and career-ready.

ACT Resources for North Carolina