Focusing on the Shifts

A high level summary of the implications of the CCSS can be obtained through examining “The Shifts” in instruction, student learning and materials required by the CCSS. Understanding “The Shifts” is commonly seen as the first step toward understanding the spirit of the CCSS. Examining the “major work” of each grade for Mathematics provides insight on where the CCSS require the majority of instructional time to be spent in Math at each level. While access to the research informing the development of the ELA shifts can be a useful tool for critical examination of the validity of the standards and the strategies for implementing them.