ShareUtah Core Standards for Mathematics & English Language Arts
General Information 
Math Overview Math Resources ELA Overview ELA Resources
Utah is one of over 40 states and territories that have agreed to transition their core standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics to a set of standards common to all states. This "Common Core" initiative is organized and supported by the National Governor's Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
USOE: Utah Core Standards ResourcesThe Utah State Office of Education's Utah Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts.
Letter to Parents (pdf) USOE created this two-sided letter to parents to use as an introduction to the fact that schools will be transitioning to the new English Language Arts Common Core.
Transitioning to the Common Core (PPT) USOE used this PowerPoint to introduce the Common Core State Standards to both teachers and principals.
Another Letter to Parents re: CCSS (Doc) Superintendent Don Hill, from South Sanpete, graciously agreed to share the letter he sent to his parents and students about the new CCSS.
Spotlight on the Common Core State StandardsWhat do teachers need to know about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?
ASCD Common Core ResourcesASCD resources, books, and authors related to the common core in the areas of standards, instruction, curriculum, and assessment.
Parent Roadmaps
The Council of Great City Schools developed thes Parent Roadmaps to support parents' understanding of the Common Core State Standards at the elementary grade levels.
Fulfilling the Promise of the Common Core State Standards
Moving from Adoption to Implementation to SustainabilityAn ASCD Report to help you implement the Common Core.
Myths vs. Facts about the CCSSHere are some myths (and facts) about the Common Core State Standards.
Understanding the Common Core (PPTX) An overview of the Common Core State Standards, with a focus on how the standards are organized and key content takeaways within each discipline.
Evaluating Instructional Materials These rubrics were developed to help you evaluate if instructional materials align to the Common Core Standards.
Nine Ways the Common Core Will Change Classroom Practice An article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Mathematics courses in Utah's schools will be reorganized, in line with the curriculum of countries with the highest mathematics achievement. Some familiar course names, like Algebra or Geometry, will be replaced with Secondary Mathematics I, Secondary Mathematics II, and Secondary Mathematics III. At the conclusion of Secondary Mathematics III, students will be prepared for credit-bearing college coursework and application of mathematics to careers.
Utah Core Standards for Mathematics
Utah has adopted the international model of teaching secondary math. This integrated approach combines concepts related to the number system, algebraic thinking, measurement and data, and geometry throughout the curriculum.
Key Points In MathematicsA brief overview that highlights the key points in the new Mathematics Common Core.
Utah's Implementation Schedule for MathematicsThe Mathematics Core will be implemented according to the schedule in this matrix. Download PDF version.
USOE's Suggested Student Course ProgressionsThis document provides guidance on student placement during the five years of Mathematics Standards implementation.
Critical Areas of Focus (K-8) (pdf)This document from the Ohio Dept. of Education describes the big ideas that educators can use to build their curriculum and to guide instruction.
Math CRT Schedule An explanation of the CRT assessment schedule provided by the Utah State Office of Education.
Recommendations for Professional Development (pdf)Nine suggestions for states and districts on effective CCSS Math teacher professional development.
Secondary Mathematics Curriculum Guides
USOE, and educators around the state of Utah, developed these guides to illuminate the meaning of the standards and to provide instructional guidance.
USOE, and educators around the state of Utah, developed these guides to illuminate the meaning of the standards and to provide instructional guidance.
K - 5 Mathematics WIKI This WIKI was developed for the 2012 Core Academy. The Math Tasks that were developed by educators are listed by grade level on the right.
Sixth Grade Mathematics WIKI This WIKI was developed for the 2011 Core Academy. Be sure to check out the Math Tasks that were developed by educators.
Resources for Mathematics Grade 6Educators across the state of Utah have developed and gathered these materials to help you teach the Utah Core Standards for Mathematics Grade 6.
Secondary Mathematics I Materials These Secondary Mathematics I materials and student tasks were created by the Mathematics Vision Project.
Elementary Mathematics Curriculum Guides
The USOE Elementary Math Specialist worked with Utah educators to create these comprehensive Curriculum Guides.
The USOE Elementary Math Specialist worked with Utah educators to create these comprehensive Curriculum Guides.
Kindergarten - 5th Grade:
- Operations and Algebraic Thinking
- Number and Operations in Base Ten
- Number and Operations - Fractions
- Measurement & Data
- Geometry
Math Consortium Resources• 7th - 9th grade (includes Secondary Math 1)
• Secondary Mathematics 2 & 3
These materials are not sanctioned by USOE.
Elementary Mathematics Common Core Crosswalks
USOE worked with educators around the state of Utah to identify how the new Elementary Math Core differs from the 2007 Utah core. (Be sure to look at the key at the bottom of the documents.)
USOE worked with educators around the state of Utah to identify how the new Elementary Math Core differs from the 2007 Utah core. (Be sure to look at the key at the bottom of the documents.)
Practices Learning Community TemplatesUSOE developed nine templates for use in professional learning situations in which educators are seeking to understand the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Progressions DocumentsNarrative documents describing the progression of a topic across a number of grade levels.
Illustrative Mathematics Project A flexible display of the standards, with the hierarchy expanding or collapsing at a click, and the K–8 standards viewable both by grade level and by domain.
Teaching ChannelShort videos of inspiring educators sharing lesson ideas that support the Mathematics Common Core Standards.
National STEM Digital LibraryA collection of digital learning objects that are related to specific Math Common Core State Standards.
California Mathematics Project This web page has a variety of resources to support California's Version of the Common Core Content Standards Mathematics (CaCCSS-M).
Practice Standards PostersJordan School District created these practice posters to help students and educators implement the Math core:
Grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Mathematics Vocabulary Granite School District educators developed Mathematics vocabulary cards and other resources that support both the previous core and the new Utah Core Standards.
Sketchpad ExplorerFree iPad application that could be very useful for those working on transformational geometry in the Secondary I course.
Mathematics Glossary (pdf)Vocabulary words and definitions found in the Mathematics Common Core Standards.
Evaluating Instructional Materials (pdf)This rubric will help you evaluate Math lessons and units to determine if they align to the Math standards. Here is the corresponding Response Form.
Unpacking StandardsNorth Carolina educators "unpacked" each standard so that it is clear what a student must know, understand and be able to do.
Please Share Other ResourcesAre you aware of additional educational resources that support the Utah Mathematics Core? Please take a moment to share them with UEN.
English Language Arts Overview
Utah Core Standards for English Language Arts
Additional Standards for Grades 6-12
Reading for Literacy in History/Social Studies (pdf)
Reading for Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects (pdf)
Writing for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (pdf)
Key Points In English Language ArtsA brief overview that highlights the key points in the new English Language Arts Core.
ELA CCSS Graphic Overview Document (pdf)A graphic representation of the components that make up the new ELA Standards. (Credit: Rhode Island Dept. of Ed.)
Letter to Parents (pdf) USOE created this two-sided letter to parents to use as an introduction to the fact that schools will be transitioning to the new English Language Arts Core.
Structure of the English Language Arts Core (pdf)A brief overview of the structure of the ELA core.
Appendices A, B, and CAppendix A: Supplementary materials & glossary of terms
Appendix B: Text exemplars (1.52 MB)
Appendix C: Annotated samples of student writing (22.28 MB)
Utah's Implementation Schedule for English Language ArtsThe new English Language Arts Core will be implemented according to the schedule in this matrix. Download PDF version.
ELA CCSS "Code" (pdf) A "code" has been developed to help educators talk about the ELA Core State Standards.
English Language Arts Resources
Alignment of the previous Utah Language Arts Core to the new Utah Core Standards
USOE worked with educators around the state of Utah to align the previous Language Arts core to the new Utah Core Standards.
Range and Complexity of TextUSOE created this visual representation of the range and complexity of text in the previous Language Arts core compared to the new ELA Core standards.
Grade-Specific Text Complexity Demands (pdf)This table illustrates the progression of reading standard 10 from grades K - 12.
How to Build Knowledge Systematically (pdf)This example illustrates how educators can infuse the English Language Arts block with content knowledge and vocabulary in history/social studies, science, and the arts.
Text Exemplars and Sample Performance Tasks
Organized by grade bands.
Reading Foundational Skills (pdf)This supplement to the Reading Standards: Foundational Skills (K–5) provides information such as phoneme-grapheme correspondences, phonological awareness details.
Secondary Curriculum MapsThe Jordan School District expanded on the Gates Foundation Curriculum Maps. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Samples of Student Writing
These writing samples have been annotatated to illustrate the criteria required to meet the standards for a particular type of writing - argument, informative / explanatory text, and narrative.
Elementary ELA ResourcesJordan School District developed and gathered extensive resources for Grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Secondary Curriculum MapsThe Granite School District developed these Curriculum Maps for grades 7-12. They may be helpful to others, but they are not sanctioned by USOE.
Teaching ChannelShort videos of inspiring educators sharing lesson ideas that support the English Language Arts Common Core Standards.
Pathways to the Common Core Accelerating Achievement
The goal of this book is to help you develop a plan for implementing the Common Core.
Teaching Argument Writing, Grades 6-12 Supporting Claims with Relevant Evidence and Clear Reasoning This book teaches us not only what an argument is, but how to teach it and why we should. (Study Guide)
Library of Congress Teacher Resources Find Library of Congress lesson plans and primary source sets that meet Utah Core / Common Core standards.
Inquire: A Guide to 21st Century Learning This handbook covers 21st century skills, the inquiry process, project-based instruction, argumentative writing, and more. (Correlations to ELA Core.)
Evaluating Instructional Materials (pdf)This rubric will help you evaluate lessons and units to determine if they align to the ELA standards. Here is the corresponding Response Form.
Nonfiction Books for Early LearnersScholastic has gathered over 50 "Listen and Read" nonfiction books for early learners.
Unpacking StandardsNorth Carolina educators "unpacked" each standard so that it is clear what a student must know, understand and be able to do.
Please Share Other ResourcesAre you aware of additional educational resources that support the new English Language Arts Core Standards? Please take a moment to share them with UEN.