The Common Core Standards (CCS) is an international benchmark for academic expectations and allows each state to compare its student performance against another's with an "apples to apples" approach. Arizona is one of 46 other states to adopt the consistent standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and math for Kindergarten through 12th grade students. Why is this important? CCS helps ensure all high school graduates are prepared to succeed in college and a global workforce.

 

DVUSD ensures implementation of the Arizona Common Core Standards by aligning curriculum, assessment, and classroom instruction. In 2010, Deer Valley teachers began receiving training on CCS and continue to take part in professional development.

 

Deer Valley created an iPad application as a way to collect trend ddata from the classrooms that are implementing CCS and to identify and support those classrooms that may be struggling with implementation. Deer Valley principals began using the application during classroom observations throughout the 2012-13 school year.

 

Over the next few years, student testing will shift from the AIMS (Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards) to PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) in an effort to transition to Common Core Standards. PARCC like items, such as an increase in text complexity, will be embedded in AIMS to facilitate the transition. In 2015, students will fully transition from AIMS to PARCC.

 

Deer Valley is 1 of top 5 districts in Maricopa County,  and by embracing a philosophy of continuous improvement and utilizing CCS, Deer Valley strives for national recognition as a leader in education.