Academic Content Standards identify what Oregon students are expected to know and be able to do in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, health, physical education, science, second language, social sciences, and the arts. These standards are one way to ensure that all Oregon students will have the opportunity to meet the rigorous demands of the 21st Century.
In 2006 ODE contracted with West Ed for an external review of Oregon’s academic standards. West Ed’s recommendations, along with research-based national trends in standards design, informed the design of Oregon’s new core standards structure. The goal of a core standards structure is to create fewer standards that are more focused and coherent. Using the discipline as the guide, core standards statements are developed around the “big ideas” of a content area.
These core standards statements are supported by more specific content standards which provide the details necessary for curriculum and assessment. Core standards also articulate learning progressions within and between grade levels and allow for more effective lesson design, focused instruction and creation of formative assessments. (https://sites.google.com/site/baker5jcurriculumdirector/curriculum/content-standards)